Heraldic histories

For hundreds of years, coats of arms and family crests have adorned homes the length and breadth of Spain. Documents carved in stone, they speak of noble lineages and valiant feats, but they can also tell us a lot about local history. At the Singular Space, it is our absolute pleasure to introduce you to a select few of these extraordinary properties, part of the rich history of Spain’s towns and cities.

Heraldry played a fundamental role in centuries gone by. In the Middle Ages and into the Modern period, the façades of many stately homes and mansions were emblazoned with crests – a mark of distinction and a reminder of the owner’s family lineage. In the absence of written records, this was how noble families of the time memorialised their history and hallmarks.

These stone-carved reliefs served as a visual memento, not only of the owners, but of their pedigree and place of origin. Centuries later, they are still here, keeping their heritage and heraldry alive.

Often, the homes of noble families and important public figures would be decorated with symbols particular to their occupants (helmets, weapons, animals, crosses, fleurs-de-lis, etc.) that had graced the shields their ancestors carried into battle or to an audience with the king. These coats of arms were handed down through the generations and can now be found carved into the façade of many a historic home.

Homes with soul

Spain has preserved a great many examples of houses bearing crests and insignia. These very special properties, steeped in soul and history, are scattered all over the country. Naturally, here at The Singular Space, we couldn’t resist adding a few to our collection:

In Cantabria, we find this stately eighteenth-century country house, its grand entrance adorned with Corinthian columns, enveloped in charming gardens. It’s an exquisite example of the local upper-class architecture, flaunting an impressive stone-carved crest on its main façade. The design features an ornate helmet just above the escutcheon, which is flanked by the figures of two lions.

This was once the home of Don Diego de Ceballos y Villegas, whose surnames are represented in the coat of arms by a series of horizontal stripes and the symbol of a cross. The house was built by master mason Manuel Gutiérrez Cavada in 1717–18 and was commissioned by Catalina de Bustamante Villegas. Her first surname also gets a nod, symbolised by the lines of circles on the shield.