Palacio de la Conquista

Palacio de la Conquista stands on the main square of Trujillo, a historic town in the Cáceres province of Extremadura, Spain. Also called Palacio de los Marqueses de la Conquista or Palacio del Escudo, the building takes its nickname from the carved stone coat of arms mounted on its corner balcony.

What should you know before visiting?

The palace faces Plaza Mayor, the heart of Trujillo's old town, sharing the square with the church of San Martín and the equestrian statue of Francisco Pizarro. Its facade combines the plain, heavy stonework typical of Extremaduran noble houses with a striking Renaissance flourish: an ornately carved corner balcony that has become one of the most photographed details on the entire square.

How do you get there?

Trujillo sits in Extremadura, roughly halfway between Madrid and the Portuguese border, right off the A-5 motorway. Driving is the most convenient option, but regular bus services also connect Trujillo with Madrid, Cáceres, and other regional towns — the trip from Madrid takes around two and a half hours. The nearest major airports are in Madrid and Seville. Once in town, the palace is easy to find: it sits directly on Plaza Mayor, and the whole historic center is compact enough to explore comfortably on foot.

What will you see there?

The first thing that catches the eye is the corner balcony, resting on a heavily carved stone bracket and set at an angle that lets it be seen from two streets at once. Walking around the building rewards you with a closer look at the contrast between the austere stone walls and the intricate stonework around the balcony and main portal. The palace remains privately owned, so there is no interior visit — but the exterior alone is the main draw, and it holds up well on its own. Taking in the palace as part of a walk around Plaza Mayor also puts it in context: the square, ringed by stone arcades, noble houses, and the church, is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Renaissance-era urban planning in Extremadura.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October) offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring Trujillo on foot. Summers in Extremadura get very hot, and the stone paving of Plaza Mayor can feel punishing at midday, so it's worth timing a visit for the morning or late afternoon during that season. Since the visit is entirely about the facade, time of day matters mostly for the light: late afternoon sun hits the balcony at an angle that brings out its carved detail, which photographers will appreciate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the palace? No, the building is privately owned and not open to the public. The main attraction is the facade, especially the famous corner balcony.

How much time should you set aside? Viewing the facade itself takes only a few minutes, but it's worth combining with a walk around the rest of Plaza Mayor and the surrounding old-town streets, which adds up to an hour or two.

Is there an entrance fee? No, viewing the facade from the square is free, since the palace sits on public ground.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The church of San Martín and the statue of Francisco Pizarro are right on the same square, and a short uphill walk through the old town leads to Trujillo's medieval castle.