The Palacio de San Telmo, constructed in the seventeenth century as a school for navigators, is characterized by its richly ornamented Baroque portal. After having served a number of different purposes, the building is now the official residence of the president of Andalusia.The most conspicuous part of the palace is the lavishly decorated portal. Completed in 1734 by Antonio Matias de Figueroa, the portal is defined by its large sculpted columns. Statues on either side of the balcony represent arts and sciences. The top level shows a large statue of Saint Telmo framed by an open arch. He is accompanied on his left by Saint Hermenegild and Saint Ferdinand to his right. A pediment with volutes crowns the portal.