La Encomienda, Calasparra

An important building formerly held by the order which owned Calasparra

The Casa de La Encomienda is one of the most iconic historical buildings in Calasparra, and is typical of the prevailing architectural style in the Region of Murcia in the 18th century.

It dates from the time when the “Villa” de Calasparra was effectively owned by the religious and military Order of San Juan de Jerusalén, and was one of the most important buildings on which the Order’s power and wealth were based (for more details browse the history of Calasparra). Among the functions of the Encomienda were to collect local taxes and direct them to the “Comendador”, the man at the head of the Order in Calasparra, and as such it was vital that the building should emanate power and authority.

The Casa de la Encomienda in Calasparra was built in 1730 and 1731 under the supervision of Diego Gutiérrez, and is fairly unusual in the extensive use of brickwork on the exterior. Decoration is sparse, and the serious nature of the Order’s business is reflected in the façade and the small windows. Inside, the ground floor features a row of semi-pointed brick arches.

After the departure of the Order of San Juan from Calasparra in the 1830s the building was put to many uses, including being called into service as a jail during the Civil War, and after the completion of restoration work in 1986 it was home to the local archaeological museum for some years.

Location: Plaza de la Constitución, Calasparra.

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