Alcázar de Luis Chaves el Viejo

This alcázar, or palace, was built within the muralla in the 14th century and was one of the largest defensive homes of Trujillo. This palace protected the gate of Santiago, the principle gate leading into growing Trujillo, and thus had importance in the establishment of the expanding empire. Built in the Gothic architectural style, the alcázar was blessed with minute but beautiful details along its doors and windows. (Bissell, page 9)

 

The palace was built in 1305 by the Altamirano family, decended from the famous Fernán Ruiz de Altamirano. It came to Luis Chaves by marriage to his wife who was an Altamirano. Luis Chaves was an ally of the Catholic Monarchs and asked to take Juana la Beltraneja from the Marquis de Villena, who was offering her protection in Trujillo. Skirmishes broke out and Chaves' three sons lost their lives trying to take the palace of the Marquis de Villena. Juana la Beltraneja left town, the Marquis de Villena died and the Catholic Monarchs took posession of the palace of the Marquis. The palace of Luis Chaves was then made part of the Royal Court. Peace was signed with Portugal and France in the Palace itself.( Lancia Publications, page 48-50)

The alcázar was the birth place of the treaty “Monta tanto”. This treaty was an agreement between the two monarchs, Ferdinand signing as Tanto and Isabel as Monta, to join the two kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. (Bissell, page 9) The two monarchs were residing in the palace when they heard the news that the King of Aragón had died, making Ferdinand the new sovereign of Aragón allowing the union of Castile and Aragón. It was also in this palace that Ferdinand and Isabel signed their first document as King and Queen of Spain, a single crown over Castile and Aragón. When the Kingdom of Navarre and Granada were added, it was to the Crown of Spain, not to either Castile or Aragón.(Lancia Publications, page 48-50)