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The origin of the "Casa de Pilatos" or "Casa de Esquivel y Jarava" (after their first owners) is still not completely uncovered. On the base of historical documents and writings of the famous Peruvian author Ricardo Palma it is believed that this beautiful house was built in 1590 and therefore is one of the oldest Colonial buildings in Lima. The "Casa de Pilatos" represents a magnificent example of the architectural style of this period.
The most remarkable elements are the impressive front, the double hall and the monumental stairs. The original elegance of this unique building is best relived in the principal court. Even though the "Casa de Pilatos" withstood the severe earthquakes from 1687 and 1746 and others that followed, it was damaged badly and had to be rebuild several times. The original balconies for example were destroyed and later replaced with replicas. Today it houses the ‘Tribunal Constitucional’ (Constitutional Court).
