Palacio de los Escrivá

The Palacio de los Escrivá stands on Plaza San Luis Bertrán in Valencia. Built in the fifteenth century in the Valencian Gothic style, this residential building underwent extensive renovation in the eighteenth century. Today's façade clearly shows traces of that later remodeling, yet the original Gothic portal area still draws the eye, with its dressed ashlar stonework, a large gable, and the coat of arms of the Verdes-Montenegro family framed by rocaille ornamentation. The building stands out for its stone base, the plastered finish of the remaining walls, and a striking wooden overhang resting on beams. Inside, visitors are greeted by a square brick vault that leads to an open courtyard, from which a traditional, semi-open staircase with two right-angle turns and a star-vaulted intermediate landing leads to the upper floors. Particularly noteworthy are the artfully crafted wooden ceilings with geometric patterns in green, red, and white, which were originally installed in the intermediate floor. The courtyard also provides access to former stables and cellar rooms, which still reflect the character of the historic family estate of the Escrivá line, whose origins go back to a secretary of King James I.