| ( Gasset Street. O Caramiñal ) Three Galician prelates were appointed General Commissioner of the Holy Crusade. They were Ventura Figueroa, Bartolomé Rajoi and our illustrious fellow Manuel Fernández Varela. They were high intellectually trained men, with a great desire of protecting the Arts. Rossini dedicated his work Stabat Mater to the laudable Varela’s spirit, who was a member of the “Academia de Nobles Artes de San Fernando” - Noble Arts Academy of San Fernando -, Caballero de la Real y Distinguida Orden de Carlos III – Knight of the Royal and Distinguished Order of Carlos III, minister… He spared no generous efforts to favour A Pobra do Caramiñal. The construction – in 1832 – of a big building designed to hold the “Cátedra de Latín y de primeras letras” – Latin and Arts Professorship – was owing to his initiative. Eventually, the building was turned into the Town Hall. The noble Town Hall, which was rebuilt between 1887 and 1888, clearly moves towards the prevailing eclectic style that was common in public constructions. Its façade is clearly rectangular, faithful to symmetry. It follows the classical rules but with some exceptions taken from the neobaroque French style: padded masonry chain distribution; stone strips between the floors; friezes and cornices marking the eaves; shelves holding up the smelting balconies; vases and decorative pineapples over stands, the ornamentation of frames and doors and windows’ lintels. From the attic it is possible to appreciate the solemn and elegant style of the building, outlined by the front with the promoter’s coat of arms and the bell clock tower. Parish: O Caramiñal Place: A Pobra do Caramiñal Style: Classicism-Neo-Baroque Century: 19th | |