Pazo do Concello de Ourense
About this heritage
The Pazo do Concello de Ourense, located in the Praza Maior, is an elegant eclectic-style building constructed in ashlar masonry at the end of the 19th century. It stands out for its carefully crafted facade, featuring the large coat of arms of Spain, Doric capital columns, and the three main arches, each more than three and a half meters wide, supported by sturdy pillars. The decoration includes curved pediments above windows and doors, composite order pilasters, and cast iron balustrades on the first floor. The building was initially designed by Manuel de Uceda and completed by José Antonio Queralt, who added unique elements such as the large coat of arms beneath the clock. Inside, it houses a plenary hall decorated by the artist José Soler de Bilbao and an impressive walnut staircase. The current building replaced the old town hall, which dated back to the 17th century and was demolished after a collapse in 1873.
To learn more
Did you know that the Ourense town hall is in a very beautiful and old building? It is called Pazo do Concello and is located in the city’s main square. It has a stone facade with three large arches and many columns. Above the main door, there is a very large coat of arms with lions and eagles. Inside, there is a room where the councilors meet and a very elegant wooden staircase. Many years ago, the town hall was in another building, but it collapsed and they had to build this new one, which is one of the most important buildings in Ourense.
To know it better
The current Pazo do Concello de Ourense, an eclectic work of finely carved ashlar masonry, was designed by Manuel de Uceda and completed under the direction of José Antonio Queralt between 1885 and 1889. The main facade, articulated in three large arches of 3.60 meters wide supported by pillars of considerable section, presents a unique decoration: Doric capital columns at the corners, curved pediments above openings, composite order pilasters, and cast iron balustrades. Queralt incorporated a monumental coat of arms beneath the clock, synthesizing the heraldry of the Habsburgs and Bourbons, with the unusual inclusion of the coat of arms of Galicia and the attributes of the Spanish monarchy, such as the Pillars of Hercules and the Golden Fleece. The plenary hall, decorated by José Soler de Bilbao, and the walnut staircase by Ricardo Proenza, along with the furniture by Cándido Cerreda, complete the ensemble. The building replaced the old 17th-century town hall, demolished after its collapse in 1873, and integrates harmoniously into the Praza Maior, maintaining the tradition of urban arcades.
Location
- Locality
- Ourense
- Municipality
- Ourense
- Province
- Ourense
- Country
- Spain
The asset
- Eco-destination
- Río Miño – Ourense
- Environment
- Urban
How to get there
- Access
- By land
The visit
- Visitable
- Yes
Coordinates
- Latitud
- 42.33551
- Longitud
- -7.86388