The Building

It is undoubtedly the most emblematic building of the Town of San Clemente. Dating from the 16th century, it was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1992.

Although the Town Hall building model is one that can be seen in other towns in the County, such as Villarrobledo, Alarcón or Vara de Rey, its majestic and imposing presence in the Main Square make this building one of the paradigms of the Civil Renaissance of La Mancha.

Photography: FAP Archive, Santiago Torralba

It was the work of Domingo Zaldibe, although its outer appearance was rumoured to stem from the hand of the great Andrés de Vandelvira.

Photography: FAP Archive, Santiago Torralba

The building stands on a corner, with a rectangular ground plan and two floors, plus a keep to the left. The ground floor is a porticoed gallery with seven openings and Doric columns, semi-circular arches and decorated moulding. At the top there is a set of windows with semi-circular arches with a cornice running the length of the façade, which also features a frieze decorated with rosettes.

The tower has an access door with a semi-circular arch, two symmetric windows located on the corners, plus a large central clock at the highest point. The building’s ornamentation features the coat of arms of the Austrias, as well as medallions with effigies of the Emperor Charles and Empress Elisabeth.