A few metres from the Cathedral concealed behind an unremarkable facade, hides one of the most beautiful palatial houses of the city, called Pinelos’ house.

If something distinguishes Seville, it is its palatial houses, famous for the beauty of the main courtyard, around which are spread the different rooms of the home. These are the ‘Sevillian Patios’.

Inside the Pinelos’ house breaths peace and tranquillity, despite it being in the middle of the historic centre. However, it has the sensation of finding itself in a different time, surrounded by the renaissance arches combined with the mudejar artistry.

The Pinelos

Originally from Genova, the merchant Francisco Pinelo settled in Seville around 1470. His wealth brought him political influence, including obtaining various positions in the city government.  Therefore he mixed with the aristocracy and locals and came to be friends with Christopher Columbus, with whom he shared his home town. He was one of the main sponsors of the House of Trade, for which he was given the head position in the institution.

However, it was his son Jeronimo who started the construction of the house in 1502, buying several of the surrounding buildings. Jeronimo and his brother, Pedro, were the only legitimate sons of Francisco Pinelo, both were canons of the Cathedral, and because there were no heirs, on the death of Jeronimo, the house was given to the Cathedral Chapter. In exchange, the members of the Pinelo family were buried in the Chapel of Pilar in the Cathedral, also known as the Chapel of the Pinelos.

The Main Courtyard

Although it’s organised around three courtyards, following the traditional model of entrance, main courtyard and back courtyard, the jewel of the house is, without doubt, the main courtyard. The tiled floor lends great personality, and so do the trees planted in it and the sounds of water from the marble fountain, all surrounded by columns of Carrara marble.  Architecture and nature combined like this, are very much in the style of mudejar.

From Italian renaissance artistry, the place of origin of the family, come the arches decorated with mythological themes.  Of Mudejar, in particular using plasterwork in its construction, creating a horror vacui.

Its new use

During the years it was in the hands of the Catheral chapter, it was the residence of the most important clerics. However in the 20^th century the Spanish confiscation arrived, beginning its journey through the hands of various different owners.

After many ups and downs throughout its history, today it’s the base of the Sevillian Royal Academy of Literature and the Royal Academy of Fine Art of Saint Isabel of Hungary. The associations restored it and opened it to the public. Although as a whole it has changed a lot, they have managed to keep the architecture practically the same in some of its rooms, since its construction in the 15^th century.

It is certainly worth seeing this palatial house to get to know the Sevillian culture and a little of the history of the city.

Images sources: 56 – 60 (section 2)