Bishop Vellosillo's Palace

Leaving the Plaza Mayor along the street that borders the Casa de la Torre, you come to a small square where this beautiful palace dazzles. It was built at the end of the XVI century and inaugurated on the day of San Miguel (September 29) of 1598, according to the various writings on the construction works. It first belonged to Fernando de Vellosillo, nephew of the illustrious bishop Fernando de Vellosillo, illustrious son of the town of Ayllón who became bishop and lord of Lugo. Also a theologian, he participated in representation of Felipe I, in the deliberations of the Council of Trento and became a royal advisor. There is speculation that it was the bishop who ordered the construction of this palace in order to make his name last, although this is mere supposition. In fact, on the façade there is no reference to the bishop himself, only the coat of arms of the Vellosillo family. Between 1972 and 1983, the City Council proceeded to acquire the entire palace in property with the purchase of parts of it from various individuals. After a thorough restoration, the Palace of Bishop Vellosillo is currently home to the important Museum of Contemporary Art of the town (consisting of sculpture and painting of the scholarship holders of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Madrid) and the Municipal Library.