Royal Cavalry Armory of Zaragoza

This is why, faced with the ever-increasing power of the jurors of Zaragoza, the nobles formed the Capitol of Knights and Infançones of the City of Zaragoza. We do not know the exact date of its origin, but it was almost certainly shortly after the conquest of Zaragoza. Palace of the Royal Cavalry Armory or of Donlope: Aragonese Renaissance palace known as the House of Miguel Donlope or of the Royal Cavalry Armory because it served as the headquarters of this Royal Corporation of Zaragoza. Built during the third and fourth decades of the 16th century, it is an example of the Aragonese palace-house model. It was commissioned by Don Miguel Donlope, a notable jurist from Zaragoza and member of an important Aragonese family originally from Montmesa (Huesca). His civic power was reflected in the location chosen for his palace, just behind the Cathedral of the Savior (La Seo). The master builder is unknown, but the Basque stonemason Juan de Landernain, author of the courtyard columns and the portal (now lost), and Pedro Rebollo, from Logroño, the king's ironworker, who was responsible for the window grilles, worked on its construction, along with the carpenters Jaime Fanegas (author of the eaves) and Bernat Giner. The importance of this palace was recognized with its declaration as a National Monument in 1931. Without a doubt, the Donlope Palace represents one of the clearest examples of Aragonese Renaissance art, and its care and preservation to this day has been the direct responsibility of the Royal Cavalry Armory (Real Maestranza). of the Cavalry of Zaragoza.