Monroyo jail

The Monroyo jail is situated on the ground floor of the town hall (casa consistorial). This building has a fine main façade, structured on three floors. On the first floor a wide double "lonja" (porticoed hall) opens up, defined by round arches on the façade line and segmental arches in the interior space. The main floor (piano nobile) retains two interesting openings with lintels, with stone window sills and framed by mouldings. A large stone-and-brick eaves cornice crowns this façade. The rear façade is very simple, built in rubble masonry covered with render; a doorway with a round arch dated 1594 opens in it.

The jail is included in the municipal building, a work built in several stages: the first in 1588, extended six years later with a lower-quality construction. In 1781 an important renovation was carried out on the main floor.

The jail is structured in three interconnected spaces or rooms: from the first room one passes to the second through a simple door with a very segmental arch, and the second communicates with the third through a similar opening. The first is identified as the jailer's quarters and the other two were used as cells (dungeons). Access is through a simple segmental arch door in the back wall of the lonja, next to the entrance door of the town hall. The first room has a small window to the exterior protected by a sturdy iron grille. All three spaces have a slightly pointed barrel-vaulted ceiling and an earthen floor.

The Monroyo town hall stands as a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture, with its origins in 1588. Six years after its initial construction, in 1594, the building underwent a significant extension that added a new structure, consolidating its presence at the heart of the town. This imposing work rests on pre-existing Gothic foundations, a heritage visible in the pointed arches that are still preserved today, silent witnesses to past eras.

The history of the town hall has not been without its challenges. In 1705, during the War of the Spanish Succession, the troops of Felipe V caused a fire that devastated part of the building. However, Monroyo's resilience was demonstrated in its restoration, completed in 1781. More recently, in 1981, the municipal council carried out a comprehensive renovation, adapting the building to the demands of modern local government and creating spaces dedicated to culture, a reflection of the town's commitment to its heritage and future.

The Monroyo town hall is organised on three floors, each with specific functions that reflect the vitality of the building. On the ground floor, in addition to the lonja —a three-bay double-span structure that has long been a popular meeting place and market— lies the former jail. This historic space, made up of three cells, offers a unique perspective on the town's judicial past.

The intermediate floor houses the town hall offices, the administrative heart of Monroyo. Also accessible from the side street, this floor has multipurpose spaces that are often used for exhibitions, enlivening the cultural life of the village. Going up to the upper floor, with direct access from the upper street, are the medical centre and the municipal library, spaces essential for the well-being and education of residents. Interestingly, this floor was formerly home to the school and the teacher's residence, a testament to the building's evolution and adaptability to the community's needs.

In front of the town hall, it is worth noting the presence of a medieval lonja of a popular character, which complements the architectural ensemble and highlights the rich commercial and social tradition of Monroyo.