This castle was built in the mid-16th century specifically for the king's lieutenant. In the 17th century, it also served as the residence of the ruler himself, who loved to visit these parts. His royal treasures were also kept here.
The architectural style of the Lieutenant's Palace is quite rare - late Gothic with Renaissance elements. The castle has 3 facades. All of them face different directions: the first faces the royal square, the second looks onto Santa Clara Lane, and the third opens onto Carrer dels Comtes. In addition, the palace windows offer a wonderful view of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.
Be sure to notice how unusually the palace architect designed the drainpipes. He created them in the form of sculptures of mythical creatures. They seem to watch the guests from beneath the roof, and each of them is a small masterpiece.
Inside the castle there is a small courtyard with a fountain surrounded by palm trees. This place is famous for its remarkable acoustics, so musical concerts are often held here. And during the Feast of Corpus Christi, the so-called 'dancing egg' is placed on the fountain's jet, while the fountain itself is lavishly decorated with flowers.
In the 19th century, the Lieutenant's Palace was completely restored, and today it houses the archive of the Aragonese royal dynasty. Some documents from this collection date back to the 12th century! You can see them during a tour of the castle.
