Palace of the Counts of Gomara in Soria

On Zapatería Street, close to Plaza Mayor, stands the Renaissance Palacio de Gomara, one of the most beautiful and historic palaces in Soria. It was erected in the 16th century by Francisco López de Río y Salcedo, who was a wealthy and influential nobleman, secretary to King Philip II, and ambassador in Rome. The palace was also the birthplace and place of death of many famous people, such as the poet Diego de Gomara, the writer Francisco de Gomara, and the painter Francisco de Goya. Currently, the palace is the seat of the Government Delegation in Soria, just like the Palacio de los Rios y Selcedo.

The palace is an example of Renaissance architecture, inspired by the Italian style. It was designed by the architect Francisco de Colonia, who modeled it on the royal palace in Madrid. The palace has a rectangular shape and two floors and an attic. Downstairs, there is a portico with six arcades, which gives access to the patio with columns and arcades.

Upstairs, there is a facade with six windows, the middle one is larger and adorned with the family’s coat of arms. In the attic, there are smaller windows with simple pediments. On the roof, there is an attic with a balustrade and the royal coat of arms. The facade is made of red sandstone.

Inside the palace, there are four parts: zaguán, patio, salón, and alcoba. Zaguán is the entrance room, where there are stairs and doors to the patio. The patio is the central place, where there is a well and a fountain. Salón is the main room, where there is a fireplace and a ceiling with painted coats of arms. Alcoba is a bedroom, where there is a bed and a wardrobe. In the palace, you can admire many decorative elements, such as stuccos, frescoes, furniture, tapestries, paintings, and sculptures.