The Palacio de la Encomienda in Caravaca de la Cruz
The palace in Caravaca is also known as the Casa de la Tercia
The Palacio de la Encomienda is one of the historic buildings in the centre of Caravaca de la Cruz, although nowadays it is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside.
The building dates back to the reign of Alfonso XI (1312-50), who entrusted the administration of the towns and castles of Caravaca, Cehegín and Bullas to the Order of Santiago. What is officially known as the “Palacio de la Encomienda” was the “Casa de la Tercia”, and it was here in Caravaca that local taxes were collected and administered for 200 years, providing income from the local agricultural production.
The Order of Santiago lost control of the area in 1450 and for eleven years it passed into the hands of the Fajardo family, but was regained in 1461. The building which can be seen in Caravaca was built in the 16th century, although the elaborate doorway with the coat of arms of the Order was not added until the 18th, and the property has extensive wine and oil cellars and storage areas for wool and cereals, enabling tithes to be collected in kind rather than in cash.
In the 19th century it was included in the expropriation of properties from religious organizations, and has been in private hands ever since.
Location: click here for map.
Further information about Caravaca is available from the tourist office (Plaza de España, 7, telephone 968 702424, email turismo@caravacadelacruz.es).
Or for more local information, including the Holy Jubilee Year as well as local news and what’s on, go to the home page of Caravaca Today.
