Coordinates: 42°38′58″N 2°05′15″W / 42.649356°N 2.087417°W / 42.649356; -2.087417

Palace of Vélaz de Medrano

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Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
Native name
Spanish: Palacio de Vélaz de Medrano
Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
LocationIgúzquiza
Coordinates42°38′58″N 2°05′15″W / 42.649356°N 2.087417°W / 42.649356; -2.087417
Built11th century
Restored15th century
ArchitectDon Andres Vélaz de Medrano? (11th century), Don Ferran Vélaz de Medrano y Ruen (15th century)
Architectural style(s)Moorish, Gothic
Official namePalacio de Vélaz de Medrano
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaMonument
DesignatedApril 22, 1949
Palace of Vélaz de Medrano is located in Spain
Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
Location of Palace of Vélaz de Medrano in Spain

The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano[1] (Basque: Vélaz de Medranotarren Gaztelua-Juaregia; Spanish: Palacio de Vélaz de Medrano and even Castillo Palacio de Cabo de Armeria de los Vélaz de Medrano de Igúzquiza) is the former seat and residence of the noble Medrano family in Igúzquiza, Navarre (valley of Santesteban de la Solana). The palace was directly linked to the lordship of Igúzquiza, perpetually held by the Medrano family. The castle-palace of Vélaz de Medrano is currently privately owned and listed in the Spanish Historical Heritage, obtaining the protection of the generic declaration of the Spanish Historical Heritage decree on April 22, 1949, and protected by Law 16/1985 of June 25, 1985.[2][3]

The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was also certified and protected by the Commission of Historical and Artistic Monuments of Navarra, a public body in charge of the conservation and protection of antiquities, a direct precedent, together with the Culture Council, of the current Prince of Viana Institution. The Hispania Nostra Scientific Committee have also recognized and designated this palace under the official red list of the Hispania Nostra.[4]

Legacy

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The House of Medrano, Lords of Igúzquiza, a family of noble lineage, were always closely tied to the kings of Navarre and appear alongside them in the most notable episodes of Navarrese history.[5]

According to the Geographical-Historical Dictionary of the Royal Academy of History in 1802, it was possible to see in the church of Iguzquiza, hanging on the wall of the main chapel, "various military trophies, such as flags, morions, iron gauntlets, and spurs," belonging to the former lords of the palace. It is mentioned that "the cause and the date when they were placed are unknown."[6]

Ornamental plaque commemorating the palace and history of Vélaz de Medrano in Igúzquiza, Navarre

A tribute event was held on May 21, 2013, at the Palacio de Vélaz de Medrano in Igúzquiza, Navarra. It commemorated the historical significance of the Vélaz de Medrano family, particularly focusing on their role and impact during the year 1512. The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano received a plaque infront of the palace to commemorate the noble Medrano family, a project initiated by Nafarroa Bizirik in 2010 on the occasion of the fifth centenary of the conquest of Navarre, and includes the placement of a hundred markers in as many emblematic places in the community.[7]

Location

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The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano and Igúzquiza borders Metauten and the Valle de Allín to the North, Ayegui, Dicastillo, Arellano, and the areas of Montejurra and Arambelza to the East, Sesma to the South, and Los Arcos, Etayo, Olejua, Abaigar, and Murieta to the West. The Ega River crosses the territory on the northern part, also serving as the boundary with Metauten, situated on its right bank. It resides within the Valley of Santesteban de la Solana, under the historical district of the Merindad and Judicial District of Estella.[8]

Santesteban de la Solana was formed by the current municipalities of Arróniz, Barbarin, Igúzquiza, Luquin, and Villamayor de Monjardín. The Medrano family controlled numerous lands around Navarre, including Arróniz, Dicastillo and the castle of Monjardín, the family's other inheritance, which was nearby, and together these territories formed a wealthy and militarily powerful entity that surrounded the Montejurra mountain.

Seat in the noble estate of the Courts of Navarre

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The lord of Igúzquiza was one of 74 nobles who had a seat in the noble estate of the Courts of Navarre within the ancient nobility. The House of Medrano is considered the oldest of nobility, and as such was summoned to the noble estate of the Courts of Navarre in the year 1580.[9]

Construction

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The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was built in the 11th century in Igúzquiza, and rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century

The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was initially built in the XI century as a fortified castle by the noble Medrano family.[10] First, it consisted of a large palace defensive tower (with machicolations, battlements, saeteras) surrounded by a wall with four towers in the corners, guarded by a moat at the entrance. Subsequently, to the tower was added a building with outbuildings to make the palace more habitable, all built in stone.[10] The strong house of this estate appears as an armory corporal in the official list of the Kingdom of Navarre. It was linked to the noble lineage of the Medrano family.[11]

Main entrance at the Palace of Velaz de Medrano

The palace itself and a defensive tower stand out, surrounded in part by an ashlar wall with a semicircular portal that features Medrano's deteriorated coat of arms on the keystone.[11] This door opens onto the parade ground, one of whose corners is occupied by the ashlar palace and cushioned ashlar at the base.[4]

Discovery of a medieval water conduit at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano

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The archeologist Ramon Campesino's research into the history of the Medrano family and their castle palace led to the discovery of tombs, buried silos, and a significant medieval construction previously unknown and rare in the region. He identified stones with carved cross-cut channels, large slabs collected by locals for house walls as part of a three-kilometer stone conduit built by the Vélaz de Medrano family to transport water from Montejurra's springs to the castle. Ramón and his team excavated about fifty pieces weighing about one hundred kilograms each, with many more pieces still buried.[5]

The water conduit led Ramón to discover the remains of a pilgrim hospital. Located on land once belonging to the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of Jerusalem, the hospital received water from the Vélaz de Medrano canal. Today, only the ruins of a sheep pen, believed to be the former hospital, remain at a site called Cuesta del Hospital.[5]

Rebuilt in the 15th century

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Coat of Arms of the noble Vélaz de Medrano family in Igúzquiza: Goshawk on the hand of the progenitor (1st quarter)

The Medieval fortress of Igúzquiza was partially demolished and rebuilt in brick, with a palatial character.[4] This ancient castle, rebuilt as a palace in the middle of the 15th century by Don Ferran Vélaz de Medrano y Ruen, preserves the large courtyard of arms, with its low battlemented walls flanking its entrance, rising in its southeast corner a high square tower, rebuilt in that century on a base of ashlar and the rest of brick. In the northeast corner, there is another stone tower, of lesser elevation at present, covered with ivy, preserving between them. The north side of the castle consists of large stables, dismantled rooms, and other dependencies, among which there is a small oratory, with a dark oil painting, a spacious kitchen with its carved stone fireplace, a spiral staircase, and thick walls, which denote the strength of such a fortress.[4]

The rear part is the oldest.[12] There are evident signs of additions made with a view to establishing granaries, wine cellars, and dwellings for tenants. On both sides of the main gate, the two defensive gun ports for cannon still exist, similar to those found in the native castles of Loyola and Xavier.[4]

Juan Mañé y Flaquer (1823–1901), a Spanish journalist, writer and professor of Latin and Spanish at the University of Barcelona, visited Navarre in 1877 to compose his work "El Oasis, Viaje al país de los Fueros,"[13] where he encountered the customs from the locals in the village of Igúzquiza, specifically about "the palace of the Moors," regarding the old stones of the palace of Vélaz de Medrano.[4]

Etymology

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It is known that the palace name 'Vélaz de Medrano' derives from the Basque 'Vélaz' which means 'goshawk,' and the surname 'Medrano'. Therefore, its meaning could be translated as the "Palace of the Goshawk of Medrano."

History of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano

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Coat of arms of the House of Medrano (1568)

Immediately adjacent to the town of Igúzquiza, but separated from its settlement, the ancient fortified palace of the Vélaz de Medrano family is preserved. Although abandoned for many years, it still retains much of its old warrior status and lordly prestige.[9] The Medrano family were tasked with overseeing one of the kingdom's crucial defenses, namely the defensive perimeter around Estella. Shortly after the city's establishment in the late 11th century, both Igúzquiza and Monjardín castles were constructed under the command of the Vélaz de Medrano family. Their duty was to safeguard the routes leading from Álava and Logroño.[5]

Aerial view of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano and Igúzquiza

The history of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano begins with the family progenitor. Everyone from the House of Medrano are descendants of a common ancestor who was called Medrano; the origin of the Medrano surname is not a mere coincidence.[14] The origin of the House of Medrano is traced back to the progenitor of the Medrano surname and lineage: Don Andrés Vélaz de Medrano, a Moorish Prince from the Caliphate of Cordoba, who entered Igúzquiza, Navarre around the year 979.[15][4][16]

This prince arrived in Igúzquiza leading a powerful army, entering Navarra around the year 979. He is supposed to have secretly been devoted to the Blessed Virgin, and as such persecuted by the devil, who, taking human form, was in the position of mayordomo in his service, to assassinate him at an opportune moment; this great lord, being in Igúzquiza accompanied by his diabolical mayordomo, was reciting the Ave Maria, when suddenly a goshawk came, carrying a ribbon written with the angelic salutation in its beak, and alighting on the hand of this prince, the Apostle St. Andres suddenly appeared in the palace, exhorting and baptizing him. The mayordomo fled with great noise and terrifying earthquakes.[17]

This Prince was a lord of vassals, a person of great valor in arms, who was fond of the Christian religion, and in particular very devoted to the Virgin Mary, whose Rosary he prayed every day, even before being baptized. He left his lands and lordship in the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba. The king of Pamplona gave him the name Andrés (Andrew, after the apostle) along with Velaz or Belaz (Basque for goshawk, after the one that alighted on his hand).[18] Since Prince Andrés Vélaz was very powerful among the Moors, having great riches, which he lost at that time; the Caliph of Cordoba, Hisham II, amazed at his transformation and departure, and that he had thus left his Umayyad lands and lordship, asked about Don Andrés Vélaz many times afterwards saying: "Medra o no?" (Does he prosper or no?) to which the Caliph's courtiers replied "no," Don Andrés Vélaz, having knowledge of this, claimed the Caliph's question and his courtiers answer as his surname, and called himself Medrano.[18]

His descendants, the lords of Igúzquiza, of the Medrano lineage, were entrusted by the kings of Navarre with the task of organizing the defense of the valley of Santesteban de la Solana, from the site of the palace, where the weapons of war were stored (Cabo de Armeria).[10] The Medrano family, ricohombres of Navarra were also the governors of the famous Monjardín castle, whose prodigious cross is said to have been collected by one of these knights when it appeared to one of his shepherds; they were also lords of Learza, Viscounts of Azpa, Counts of Torrubia, Marquesses of Espinal, Tabuérniga, Fontellas, Vessolla etc.[4]

15th century

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In 1461, Don Ferran Vélaz de Medrano y Ruen was the lord of Igúzquiza. He was the son of Don Juan Vélaz de Medrano IV, lord of Igúzquiza, alcaide of Monjardín and Viana, royal chamberlain of the Kings of Navarre. Regarding the antiquity of this palace in Igúzquiza, when Don Ferran Velaz de Medrano married Doña Elvira de Goñi, it was already considered ancient.[4] Don Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano rebuilt the castle-palace of Vélaz de Medrano in the mid-15th century, which was famous for the splendor of the festivities held by Don Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano and his children and grandchildren, which were often attended by the Navarrese Monarchs themselves.[19]

Don Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano, lord of Igúzquiza in 1461, became the Lord of Learza in 1450. By 1452, he participated in the siege of Genevilla, held by supporters of Prince Don Carlos. In 1455, the king awarded him the taxes from Mués, Mendaza, and Legaria, plus the palaces and revenue that Juan de Sarasa owned in the first of these villages, as compensation for the 2,000 florins he expended in the recapture of Genevilla. He served as the alcaide of Monjardín Castle in 1456. Further, in 1471, King John III gifted him the taxes from the valleys of Allín and Santesteban de la Solana, forming a wealthy and militarily powerful territory under the House of Medrano.[20]

16th century

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16th century coat of arms of the Medrano family, lords of Iguzquiza.

A detailed list of the towns, markets, and fortresses in the Kingdom of Navarre, dating around 1512, preserved in the Simancas Archive, includes lord Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz's Palace of Vélaz de Medrano among the defensive constructions that could pose a threat to Castilian domination, so a military man by the name of Colonol Villalba was appointed as its alcaide. The fortified house of Igúzquiza was always considered an armory headquarters palace.[9]

Sign at the foot of the hill in Amaiur-Maya, detailing Medrano's castle of Maya before 1512.

After the invasion of Navarre in 1512, this palace became strategic during the uprising of the Merindad and the Insurrection of Navarre. The lords, in the face of an external threat, summoned the Medrano surname, distributed arms and organized a small army to join the other Navarre valleys in support of Henry II of Navarre.[10] Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz defended the royal castles of Monjardin and Santacara. After the defeat of Navarre, these fortresses along with those of Cabrega and Aberin were conquered by the invaders and suffered major demolitions. After the regaining of Navarre's independence, the royal fortress of Amaiur-Maya played a leading role in the defense of the legitimists. Jaime Vélaz de Medrano was the Alcaide and Mayor of Amaiur-Maya, prominent in the conquest and resistance of the last royal castle in Navarre. After the defeat, Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz and his son Don Luis Vélaz de Medrano were transferred to the prison of the castle of Pamplona in 1522.[10]

Don Jeronimo Velaz de Medrano y Piniero became the lord of Igúzquiza, Learza, Agos, Aguinaro, Orendain, Zabala and Arroniz. Jeronimo was a descendant of the Evreux kings of Navarre and the son of Don Juan Velaz de Medrano y Mauelon y Navarra, seventh of the name, Lord of Learza, Iquzquiza, Agos, Arguiñaro, Orendain, Zabala and Arroniz, and Dona Maria de Pinerio.[21] In 1543, Jeronimo's father married Dona Maria de Pinerio, Lady of Eriete, patron of the company of Jesus in Pamplona and Trapani (Sicily). His mother belonged to an illustrious family of Galicia, well known from ancient and modern genealogists. Jeronimo married Dona Isabel de Lapena y Huidobro.[22]

Around 1564 it was under the fuedal lordship of Don Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, lord of Igúzquiza and the 1st Viscount of Azpa, a title granted by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.[9] In 1564, Captain Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, 1st Vizcount of Azpa and lord of Igúzquiza, enjoyed an accommodation grant of 40,000 maravedís.[9] His son Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, II Vizcount of Azpa, lord of Iguzquiza, another 30,000 from 1595, which in 1636 would pass to his heir Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, who also had the same name as the previous two.[11] Diego Vélaz de Medrano y Udobro, was the lord of the palaces of Igúzquiza and the places of Learza and Orendáin at the end of the 16th century.[23]

In 1587, Doña Sebastiana Vélaz de Medrano, residing at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano, was involved in a legal dispute with the villagers of Arguiñano. They had refused to pay her the taxes they owed, she had to remind them that they were obligated as farmers to pay taxes, without intending to insult them. Diego Ramirez de Baquedano wrote, "the principal quality of nobility that the palaces and principal houses of this kingdom have is to have vassals who pay them taxes."[24]

17th century

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Built by the Vélaz de Medrano family in the beginning of the 11th century, the palace was requested by Don José Piñeiro de Elio in 1685 to be registered as a head of armory of the Kingdom.[25]

18th century

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By the 18th century, ownership of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano had transferred to the Marquessate of Vessolla, descendants of the lords of Igúzquiza. Today, although the palace is somewhat deteriorated, it continues to display its historical martial and aristocratic essence. Fading with time, the coat of arms in the outer area features a trefoil cross in gold and their progenitor's hand clutching a silver goshawk, encircled by the family motto inscription "AVE MARIA, GRATIA PLENA, DOMINUS TECUM."[25]

Nineteenth-century tapestry with the coat of arms of the Marquesado de Vessolla.

In the 18th century, José de Elío y Ayanz de Navarra de Esparza Artieda y Vélaz de Medrano, who was made I Marquess of Vessolla on September 6, 1702, inherited the ancient palace of Vélaz de Medrano from his father Gaspar Piñeiro de Elío y Esparza de Artieda y Vélaz de Medrano, son of Dona Antonia Vélaz de Medrano y Lapeña,[26] daughter of Jeronimo Vélaz de Medrano y Piniero, lord of Learza, Igúzquiza, Agos, Aguinaro, Orendain, Zabala, Arroniz etc.; son of Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Mauleon, seventh of the name, Lord of Learza, Igúzquiza, Agos, Arguiñaro, Orendain, Zabala and Arroniz;[27] son of Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, Alcaide of the Castle of Monjardin and Santacara,[28] and his wife Ana de Mauleon y Navarra.[29] Ana is the daughter of Don Ladrón de Mauleón and Juana de Navarra y Enríquez de Lacarra, sister of Marshal Pedro de Navarra and descendant of Kings Enrique I and Charles II of Evreux.[29]

[edit]

Other Navarrese lordships of the Medrano family belonged to Francisco Argaiz Vélaz de Medrano, lord of the house of Argaiz in Peralta, Francisco Roque Velázquez de Medrano, Lord of Saldaiz and of the Artázcoz Palace. Luis Velázquez de Medrano and Carlos Velázquez de Medrano, José Vicente Velázquez de Medrano y Marichalar, José Vicente Velázquez de Medrano y Marichalar and Manuel Velázquez de Medrano y Zaro, were all lords of the palace of Artázcoz.[30]

[edit]
  • Main tower at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
    Main tower at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
  • Additional view of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano
    Additional view of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano
  • Northeast side of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano, covered in ivy
    Northeast side of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano, covered in ivy
  • Corner of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
    Corner of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
  • Side view of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
    Side view of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
  • Palace of Velaz de Medrano
    Palace of Velaz de Medrano
  • Fire at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano.
    Fire at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano.
  • Plaque on display at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
    Plaque on display at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano
  • Distant view of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano from the town of Igúzquiza
    Distant view of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano from the town of Igúzquiza
  • Front of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano (side view) with the plaque, coat of arms of Medrano and royal banner of the Kingdom of Navarre
    Front of the Palace of Velaz de Medrano (side view) with the plaque, coat of arms of Medrano and royal banner of the Kingdom of Navarre

References

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  1. ^ Castillos de España (volume III), VV.AA., Editorial Everest, S.A., León, 1997, Pg. 1.845
  2. ^ Official State Gazette, number 155, June 29, 1985
  3. ^ "Palacio de Velaz de Medrano en Igúzquiza, Navarra | MonumentalNet". www.monumentalnet.org. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i https://listarojapatrimonio.org/lista-roja-patrimonio/wp-content/uploads/Las-casas-se%C3%B1oriales-de-Olloqui-y-Belaz-de-Medrano.pdf
  5. ^ a b c d IZAGIRRE, ANDER (2007-08-25). "La arqueología campesina de Ramón". El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  6. ^ https://www.culturanavarra.es/uploads/files/Navarra-Castillos-torres-palacios.pdf
  7. ^ r.u./j.r (2013-05-21). "Homenaje al papel del Palacio de Igúzquiza en 1512". Diario de Noticias de Navarra (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  8. ^ "Gran Enciclopedia de Navarra | SANTESTEBAN DE LA SOLANA, VALLE". Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  9. ^ a b c d e Palaces of Navarre https://www.culturanavarra.es/uploads/files/Navarra-Castillos-torres-palacios.pdf
  10. ^ a b c d e Retrieved on site from the ornamental plaque commemorating the palace of Vélaz de Medrano in Igúzquiza, Navarre. Courtesy of the Parliament of Navarre
  11. ^ a b c "Gran Enciclopedia de Navarra | IGÚZQUIZA". Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  12. ^ Atlas of the Historical-Cultural Heritage of the kingdoms, counties and viscounties under the authority of Catherine I of Navarre Foix-Grailly-Bearn (Published by) 2005-2009 White Greyhound Foundation
  13. ^ Mañé Flaquer, Juan (1878). "El Oasis : viaje al país de los fueros / por Juan Mañé y Flaquer". Mañé Flaquer, Juan (1878). "The Oasis: Journey to the country of the fueros / Por Juan Mañé y Flaquer" (in Spanish).
  14. ^ "Medrano". Armorial.org (in French). 2015-10-25. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  15. ^ "MEDRANO - Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia". aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  16. ^ Pineda, Pedro (1740). New dictionary, spanish and english and english and spanish : containing the etimology, the proper and metaphorical signification of words, terms of arts and sciences ... por F. Gyles.
  17. ^ Las casas señoriales de Olloqui y Belaz de Medrano, 'EL PALACIO DE BELAZ DE MEDRAN0' Page 38 - 43
  18. ^ a b Mosquera de Barnuevo, Francisco (1612). La Numantina de el licen.do don Francisco Mosquera de Barnueuo natural de la dicha ciudad. Dirigida a la nobilissima ciudad de Soria . National Central Library of Rome. Impresso en Seuilla : Imprenta de Luys Estupiñan.
  19. ^ Archivo de la Casa de Batona, seccion de Curiosidades y papales sweltos car. 30, num 66
  20. ^ "MEDRANO, Ferrán Vélaz de - Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia". aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  21. ^ Idem id., papeles sueltos. Leg. 21, num 3
  22. ^ https://www-geneaordonez-es.translate.goog/datos/getperson.php?personID=I47374&tree=MiArbol&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US
  23. ^ http://www.enciclopedianavarra.com/?page_id=17069
  24. ^ Lords of Navarre https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/2222152.pdf
  25. ^ a b https://www.fundacioncajanavarra.es/cultura-y-educacion/archivo/navarra-castillos-y-palacios.pdf
  26. ^ "Antonia Velaz de Medrano y Lapeña: geneaordonez". www.geneaordonez.es. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  27. ^ Idem id., papeles sueltos. Leg. 21, num 3
  28. ^ "Jeronimo Velaz de Medrano y Peñeyro: geneaordonez". www.geneaordonez.es. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  29. ^ a b "Ana de Mauleon y Navarra: geneaordonez". www.geneaordonez.es. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  30. ^ http://www.enciclopedianavarra.com/?page_id=17069
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