Casa de los Becerra - A brick building with wooden doors and windows.
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Casa de los Becerra

4.1
·23 reviews·Cáceres, Spain

Discover medieval architecture and affordable art at Casa de los Becerra, home to the Mercedes Calles and Carlos Ballesteros Foundation.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

CrowdLow
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Casa de los Becerra - A brick building with wooden doors and windows.

Casa de los Becerra

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover medieval architecture and affordable art at Casa de los Becerra, home to the Mercedes Calles and Carlos Ballesteros Foundation.

4.1
(23 reviews)

"The paid part (3 euros per person) was very enjoyable, especially the Dalí exhibition!"

Vertical photo
TIP

💰 Affordable Art

Don't miss the upper floor exhibitions (around 3€)! Dalí's work is particularly stunning.

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Old Town

Casa de los Becerra is in the heart of Cáceres' World Heritage historic center. Wander and discover!

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Private Collection Museum

Private Collection Museum

Lower Floor

Explore a fascinating private collection with unique objects, offering a glimpse into the past. Free to access!

Temporary Exhibitions

Temporary Exhibitions

Upper Floors

Discover impressive temporary art exhibitions, such as Dalí's work, for a small fee. A must-see!

Medieval Architecture

Medieval Architecture

Exterior Facade

Admire the unique fortified house prototype, a prime example of late medieval civil architecture in Cáceres.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit to Casa de los Becerra

Plan your visit to Casa de los Becerra to avoid crowds and make the most of your experience. The lower floor is free, but temporary exhibitions on upper floors have a small fee. Check opening hours, especially on weekends, as they can vary.

Understanding Casa de los Becerra's Value

Casa de los Becerra offers a glimpse into Cáceres' medieval architecture. While the lower floor showcases a private collection, the temporary exhibitions, like those featuring Dalí, are highly recommended for their artistic merit and affordability.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Crowd
Low
When
Weekend mornings
Why
Catch temporary exhibits before crowds
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Casa de los Becerra, fundación Mercedes Calle-Carlos Ballesteros.
pataslargastour
16 likes • 120 views

💰 Affordable Art

Don't miss the upper floor exhibitions (around 3€)! Dalí's work is particularly stunning. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Old Town

Casa de los Becerra is in the heart of Cáceres' World Heritage historic center. Wander and discover! Reddit

reddit.com

Cáceres Recommendations?

reddit.com

Not enough people visit Extremadura, Spain - here's some photos from my trip to Cáceres and Trujillo

✨ Free Lower Floor

Enjoy the accessible lower floor museum with its private collection and charming courtyard for free. TikTok

🏛️ Architectural Gem

Appreciate the building's unique late medieval fortified house design. Reddit

reddit.com

Salamanca or Càceres

Tips

from all over the internet

💰 Affordable Art

Don't miss the upper floor exhibitions (around 3€)! Dalí's work is particularly stunning. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Old Town

Casa de los Becerra is in the heart of Cáceres' World Heritage historic center. Wander and discover! Reddit

✨ Free Lower Floor

Enjoy the accessible lower floor museum with its private collection and charming courtyard for free. TikTok

🏛️ Architectural Gem

Appreciate the building's unique late medieval fortified house design. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.1
(23 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Casa de los Becerra for its affordable and impressive temporary exhibitions, particularly those featuring renowned artists like Dalí. The free-access lower floor with its private collection and charming courtyard is also a significant draw. While the historical architecture is appreciated, some may find the content of the permanent collection less extensive than anticipated.

"A parte inferior tem uma colecção visitável e gratuita, nos pisos superiores tem exposições temporárias com um custo de 3€ (no meu casa, Salvador Dali, a divina comédia)"

Bruno Fernandes

"The origins of this building respond to the prototype of a fortified house, a model of Cáceres civil architecture from the late Middle Ages, whose architectural and technical uniqueness characterizes the historic center of Cáceres."

Carlos Gago Dorna

"Beautiful house located in Plaça de Sant Jordi, with free access to the lower floor, which serves as a small museum of the private collection of its last owner, with a small outdoor space with a well. There are objects that are worth a visit. Very friendly staff."

Jquimmauri

What People Like

Affordable art exhibitions
Free lower floor museum
Impressive Dalí works

What People Dislike

Limited permanent collection

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Casa de los Becerra is located in the historic center of Cáceres, specifically at Plaza de San Jorge, 2. The best way to reach it is by walking through the charming medieval streets. If arriving by car, be aware that parking in the old town is limited, so consider parking outside the walls and walking in. Reddit

While there isn't direct public transport to the exact plaza, Cáceres has bus services that can take you to the city center. From there, it's a pleasant walk to Casa de los Becerra. Reddit

The entire city center of Cáceres is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The best approach is to simply walk and get lost in the medieval streets, discovering palaces, churches, and hidden squares. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The lower floor of Casa de los Becerra, which houses a private collection, is free to visit. The upper floors, featuring temporary exhibitions, have a small admission fee, typically around 3€ per person. Reddit

Opening hours can vary, especially on weekends and holidays. It's advisable to check the official schedule or local listings before your visit to ensure you can access both the free and paid sections. TikTok

For the free lower floor, no booking is required. For the temporary exhibitions on the upper floors, advance booking is generally not necessary, but it's always a good idea to check if there are any special events or high-demand exhibitions. Reddit

Yes, absolutely! The lower floor with the private collection is accessible to everyone without charge, making it a great option for a quick visit or for those on a tight budget. TikTok

🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience

The lower floor features a museum showcasing a private collection of objects, and a small outdoor space with a well. The upper floors host temporary art exhibitions, which have been praised for their quality, including works by Salvador Dalí. Reddit

The exterior of Casa de los Becerra, with its medieval facade, is very photogenic. Inside, photography rules may vary depending on the exhibition, so it's best to check signage or ask staff. TikTok

Casa de los Becerra is a prime example of a fortified house from the late Middle Ages in Cáceres. Its unique architecture reflects the civil building style of the period and contributes to the city's well-preserved historic center. Reddit

Information about a gift shop is not readily available. However, given its location in a historic city center, you'll likely find souvenir shops nearby. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, Casa de los Becerra is situated in the heart of Cáceres' historic center, which is brimming with restaurants, tapas bars, and cafes. You'll find plenty of options to enjoy local Extremaduran cuisine. Reddit

Cáceres offers delicious traditional Extremaduran dishes. Look out for specialties like 'migas' (fried breadcrumbs), 'jamón ibérico' (Iberian ham), 'queso de la Serena' (cheese), and various lamb and pork dishes. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The facade of Casa de los Becerra on Plaza de San Jorge is a key photo opportunity, showcasing its medieval architecture. The small courtyard with the well on the lower floor also offers charming shots. TikTok

Photography is generally permitted in the free-access lower floor. For temporary exhibitions on the upper floors, it's common to have restrictions on flash photography or even photography altogether to protect the artwork. Always check for signs or ask staff. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Casa de los Becerra offers a mixed experience for families. The free lower floor with its private collection and small courtyard can be engaging for children, offering a tangible connection to history. The staff are noted as being very friendly, which can help make the visit more enjoyable for younger ones. TikTok

While the temporary exhibitions on the upper floors might be less engaging for very young children, they offer a valuable cultural experience for older kids and adults. The low cost of these exhibitions makes them an accessible option for families looking to experience art and history without a significant financial commitment. Remember to check exhibition content for age appropriateness.

💰 Budget Travelers

Casa de los Becerra is a fantastic destination for budget travelers. The lower floor is completely free to enter, showcasing a private collection and a charming courtyard. This provides a substantial cultural experience without any cost. TikTok

For those looking to delve deeper, the temporary exhibitions on the upper floors are very affordable, typically costing around 3€. This allows visitors to experience impressive art, such as works by Dalí, without breaking the bank. Combined with the free exploration of Cáceres' historic center, Casa de los Becerra offers excellent value.

🏛️ History Buffs

History enthusiasts will find Casa de los Becerra particularly fascinating. It's a prime example of a late medieval fortified house, offering insights into the civil architecture and defensive structures of the era. The building's own history, with its various owners and reconstructions, tells a story of Cáceres' past. Reddit

Beyond the architecture, the private collection on the lower floor provides a tangible link to the past. The upper floors, when hosting historical or art exhibitions, further enrich the understanding of different periods and cultural movements. Its location within the UNESCO World Heritage historic center also means it's surrounded by other historical sites, making it a perfect starting point for a historical exploration of Cáceres. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Architectural Significance of Casa de los Becerra

Casa de los Becerra stands as a remarkable example of a fortified house from the late Middle Ages in Cáceres. Its architectural and technical uniqueness is a defining characteristic of the city's historic center, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The building's origins lie in the prototype of these fortified residences, designed for both defense and domesticity.

The facade, located at Plaza de San Jorge, 2, is particularly noteworthy. It features a semicircular arched doorway with large radiated voussoirs, above which is an architraved window adorned with two coats of arms. These shields, along with crossed banners and a knight's helmet, signify the historical importance and lineage of the families associated with the house. The cornice is further embellished with two Gothic zoomorphic gargoyles, adding a touch of medieval artistry. The building was significantly rebuilt between the 15th and 16th centuries, with later renovations in the 21st century transforming it into the headquarters of the Mercedes Calles and Carlos Ballestero Foundation.

Visitors can appreciate the historical evolution of the building, from its origins as a fortified dwelling to its current role as a cultural foundation. The blend of defensive elements with residential features offers a tangible connection to Cáceres' past. The meticulous preservation and renovation efforts ensure that this architectural gem continues to tell its story to future generations. Reddit

Exploring the Mercedes Calles and Carlos Ballestero Foundation

The Casa de los Becerra now serves as the headquarters for the Mercedes Calles and Carlos Ballestero Foundation, established in 2002. This foundation was created following the transfer of assets from Mrs. Mercedes Calles Martín-Pedrilla and her husband, Mr. Carlos Ballestero Sierra. Their vision was to promote socio-cultural development, heritage conservation, and the general interests of the city of Cáceres.

The foundation utilizes the upper floors of the Casa de los Becerra to host temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions have garnered positive attention, with one notable example being a display of works by Salvador Dalí related to Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy'. These artistic showcases provide a dynamic cultural offering, complementing the historical architecture of the building. The modest entrance fee for these exhibitions is widely considered a worthwhile investment for the quality of art presented. Reddit

Visitors can also explore the free-access lower floor, which functions as a small museum displaying a private collection of objects. This part of the house offers a more intimate glimpse into the life and possessions of its former owners. The presence of a small outdoor space with a well adds to the charm and historical context of this area. The friendly staff contribute to a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors. TikTok