House of the Chaves or of the Canyon · Ciudad Rodrigo (EN)

Of the house of the Garcilópez de Chaves, built in the first half of the 15th century, which occupied the entire block, only the tower remains, originally with loopholes, erected in 1496, and later demolished and much renovated, as it was a cavalry barracks during the 18th century, later housing the Casino Mirobrigense and more recently the Centro Cultural el Porvenir (Cultural Center of El Porvenir). The spiral staircase turret stands out on the facade; the coats of arms on the corners, with their carved stone straps, arranged "a la valona" (inclined); and the plateresque ornaments of the windows, which were opened in the 16th century. Since the War of Independence it has been known as the "house of the cannon" because, according to tradition, there was one mounted there with which the French were shot when they entered the Plaza Mayor.