Casa de los Picos, Segovia

Historic Building in Segovia

Segovia Casa de los Picos
Segovia Casa de los Picos
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jesusccastillo

Casa de los Picos is one of those Segovia sights you don't need a ticket for to enjoy. It sits right on Calle Juan Bravo, the elegant old-town artery that links the aqueduct side of the centre with the cathedral end, and it's impossible to miss once you spot the façade: a whole wall of stone “spikes” that catches the light and makes the building feel part fortress, part Renaissance showpiece.

Even if you only stop for five minutes, it earns its place as one of the top attractions in Segovia because it's so visually distinctive, and it slips naturally into a walking tour of Segovia-an easy pause between bigger headline stops when you want something architectural and slightly eccentric.

History and Significance of the Casa de los Picos

The building began life in the late 15th century as a fortified house, associated with Pero López de Ayala, and it was positioned beside the former city gate of San Martín, which helps explain why it was designed to look tough rather than purely decorative. In the early 16th century the house took on its signature character when it was renovated under the de la Hoz family, whose heraldry you can still pick out on the lintels and around the entrance.

The detail everyone remembers is the façade: 617 granite points carved into diamond-like bosses that give the building its name and its slightly theatrical, defensive look. Step inside (when it’s open for exhibitions) and the mood changes: the Renaissance courtyard and Talavera tiles bring a softer, more civic feel, and you can see how the building has always balanced prestige with practicality.

In the 1970s the property was transferred to the Ministry of Education and rehabilitated to become the home of Segovia's art and design school, which has been based here since the late 1970s. That modern use matters: Casa de los Picos is not a frozen museum piece, but a working, living building whose public access depends on what's happening inside.

Things to See and Do in the Casa de los Picos

First, take your time with the façade. The best way to appreciate it is to stand slightly back on Calle Juan Bravo and let your eyes scan the pattern: the spikes read almost like a textile from a distance, then become sharply individual as you move closer, with small variations that show it’s hand-worked stone rather than a modern repeat.

Next, look for the de la Hoz heraldic details around the balconies and doorway, which add a “family statement” layer to what otherwise feels like pure geometry. If you're lucky and an exhibition is running, step inside for the courtyard atmosphere-this is where the building's Renaissance elegance comes through, and where the Talavera tiles (painted with Segovia motifs) give you a small, unexpectedly local storytelling moment.

Finally, enjoy the comparisons: the diamond-point style often reminds travellers of Salamanca's Casa de las Conchas, and it has that same “why did they do this?” spark that makes you stop and talk about it. It's a perfect short, memorable pause between the aqueduct and the cathedral zone, even if you never set foot beyond the door.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Casa de los Picos

  • Entrance fee: Free (façade viewing; exhibition entry, when open, is typically free but can vary).
  • Opening hours: 24 hours
  • Official website:
  • Best time to visit: Late morning is ideal when Calle Juan Bravo is lively but not yet at peak crowding, so you can step back for photos without feeling rushed.
  • How long to spend: Plan 10-20 minutes for a satisfying exterior stop, or 30-45 minutes if there’s an exhibition open and you want to linger in the courtyard.
  • Accessibility: The street outside is easy to reach on foot in the old town, but interior access depends on whether exhibitions are open and may involve historic thresholds or steps.
  • Facilities: Treat it as a quick architectural stop and plan your café break nearby, since services are better along the main old-town route than at the building itself.

Where to Stay Close to the Casa de los Picos

For most travellers, the best base is Segovia Old Town around the Aqueduct and Plaza Mayor so you can walk to the main monuments early and return easily for dinner without relying on taxis. If you want to stay right in the heart of the historic centre, Hotel Infanta Isabel is a classic, ultra-central choice for a culture-heavy itinerary. For a comfortable, polished stay with a prime old-town location, Hotel Real Segovia keeps you steps from Casa de los Picos and the main walking streets. If you prefer being closer to transport and the aqueduct approach, Eurostars Plaza Acueducto is practical for arrivals while still being an easy walk into the historic core.

Is the Casa de los Picos Worth Visiting?

Yes-because it delivers a “Segovia moment” with almost no effort. You get a genuinely unusual façade, a strong sense of place, and a quick architectural story you can carry with you through the rest of the old town.

It’s also worth it precisely because it’s not a big commitment. Even if the interior is closed, the exterior stop adds texture to your day and breaks up the walk between Segovia’s larger monuments.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.3 (693)

Casa de los Picos, at C. Juan Bravo 33 in Segovia, is a 15th‑century building famed for its granite façade covered with 617 pyramid‑shaped points and a notable Renaissance courtyard/terrace; originally built as a fortified house, it now houses the Segovia School of Art and Design and is frequently praised by visitors for its striking, textured exterior and standout architecture, though some find it less extraordinary than expected.

Mr. Doe
4 months ago
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Casa de los Picos – Segovia One of the most unique buildings I’ve seen in Spain — and one that immediately caught my eye as an architectand developer. The Casa de los Picos, built in the 15th century, is famous for its striking granite façade, where each stone block is carved into a pyramid-shaped point (“picos”). It was originally the palace of the De la Hoz family, one of Segovia’s most important noble families. Legend has it that the spiked façade was designed not just for beauty but also as a symbol of strength and prestige — a way to stand out among the city’s wealthy households. Over time, the building became a landmark of Segovia and is now carefully preserved as part of the city’s architectural heritage. Today it houses the Segovia School of Arts and often features exhibitions, ensuring it remains alive and part of the community. What I love most is the creativity of the façade — taking a simple material like granite and turning it into something bold, textured, and unforgettable. It’s inspiring to see how historical architects played with light, depth, and geometry centuries ago, and it gives me new ideas for my own projects. Definitely worth a stop when exploring Segovia — not just for the history, but for the inspiration it leaves behind...."
Seokjin Ham
a year ago
"It was built as a fortress in the late 15th century by Don Pedro López de Ayala. It is called the House with Peak wall because of its graniteexterior wall decorated with 617 pyramid shapes. The Renaissance Terrace is also famous. It is currently the headquarters of the Segovia School of Art and Design...."
Sujay Sreekumar
9 months ago
"Nice looking walls, great architecture from the 15th century."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Kids usually enjoy this as a quick “spot the spikes” challenge rather than a long visit, and it works well as a short pause on the walk between bigger attractions. Keep it playful-count a few spikes, hunt for the coats of arms, then move on before attention fades.

If an exhibition happens to be open, it can be a nice, calm indoor reset, but it’s best to treat that as a bonus rather than the plan. Build your day around outdoor highlights and use this as a memorable in-between stop.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

Casa de los Picos is a great couples' stop because it's visually striking without being time-consuming, and it sits on one of Segovia's most atmospheric streets. It's especially enjoyable in the softer light of late afternoon when the stone surface looks warmer and the street pace feels more leisurely.

Pair it with a slow wander toward the cathedral end of town and a drink or tapas nearby, and it becomes part of a relaxed, “stroll-and-discover” Segovia rhythm rather than a checklist.

Budget Travelers

This is a high-value stop because the main experience is free: you're here for the architecture and the street atmosphere. Budget travellers can get a lot out of Segovia by leaning into these exterior-first sights, then choosing one or two paid monuments for the day.

If you're keeping costs down, use Casa de los Picos as one of several short, photogenic stops that turn a simple walk into a full sightseeing loop without spending much.

FAQs for Visiting Casa de los Picos

Getting There

It’s on Calle Juan Bravo in Segovia’s historic centre, right on the main pedestrian route through town. It’s an easy walk between the aqueduct side of the old town and the cathedral end.
Follow the main old-town spine along Calle Real/Calle Juan Bravo and you’ll pass it naturally as you head uphill. If you’re coming from the aqueduct area, it’s essentially a straight, scenic walk into the heart of town.

Tickets & Entry

The façade is always visible from the street and doesn’t require any ticket. Interior access depends on whether an exhibition is open, rather than a standard daily visitor ticket.
No booking is needed to see the exterior, which is the main reason most people stop here. If you’re hoping to catch an exhibition, it’s smarter to check listings shortly before you visit.

Visiting Experience

Ten minutes is enough for photos and a close look at the stonework and heraldry. If you want a slower, more detailed look, give it 20 minutes and enjoy the street atmosphere around it too.
Yes, because it sits directly on the route you’ll likely walk anyway. It adds character to your day without pulling you away from the bigger must-sees.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It often appears as a short architectural stop because it’s visually distinctive and easy to explain quickly. Even without a tour, it works well as a self-guided “pause point” between major landmarks.
Walk from the aqueduct area up through the old town to Calle Juan Bravo, pause at Casa de los Picos, then continue toward the cathedral zone for your next big landmark. It’s a natural, low-effort loop that feels packed with sights.

Photography

Yes-the repeating geometry photographs beautifully, especially when you can capture it at a slight angle for depth. Close-ups work well too because the stone texture is so crisp.
Stand slightly back across the street so you can frame a larger section of the façade and show the pattern clearly. If the street is busy, wait a minute for a gap-your best shot often comes from patience rather than a different lens.

Accessibility & Facilities

The street outside is straightforward, but interior access depends on what’s open and the building’s historic layout. Plan on enjoying it primarily as an exterior sight and treat any interior visit as optional.
Not as a standard tourist setup, since it’s a working school building. Plan to use cafés and public facilities nearby along the main old-town streets.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Calle Juan Bravo and the lanes leading toward Plaza Mayor are ideal because you’ll have lots of choice within a few minutes’ walk. It’s easy to turn this stop into a café break without detouring.
This area is best for small cafés and tapas-style breaks rather than a single market highlight. The advantage is flexibility-you can decide based on what looks good as you walk.

Safety & Timing

Yes, it’s in the heart of the old town and remains lively in the evening with diners and strollers. As with any historic centre, just watch your step on uneven paving at night.
Early morning is best if you want clearer photos with fewer people in frame. Later in the day is better if you like the bustle of Segovia’s main street and a more social, lived-in feel.

Nearby Attractions to the Casa de los Picos

  • Segovia Cathedral: The late-Gothic showpiece of the old town, with soaring interiors and one of the city's most dramatic skylines.
  • Plaza Mayor: Segovia's central square for people-watching, café stops, and an easy pause between monuments.
  • Mirador de la Canaleja: A quick viewpoint stop that gives you a satisfying roofline-and-mountains panorama without a big walk.
  • Church of San Martín: A handsome Romanesque church near the main street, easy to add as a short architectural detour.
  • Roman Aqueduct of Segovia: The city's iconic landmark and the natural starting point for a classic old-town walk.

The Casa de los Picos appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Segovia!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 hours

Price:

Free (façade viewing; exhibition entry, when open, is typically free but can vary).

Address: Casa De Los Picos C. Juan Bravo, 33 40001 Segovia Spain
Segovia: 1 km
Telephone: +34 921 462 674

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