Palace of Vélaz de Medrano

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Coordinates: 42°38′58″N 2°05′15″W / 42.649356°N 2.087417°W / 42.649356; -2.087417
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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). It was directly linked to the perpetual lordship of Igúzquiza, held by the same noble 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]

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.[5] Santesteban de la Solana was formed by the current municipalities of Arróniz, Barbarin, Igúzquiza, Luquin, and Villamayor de Monjardín. The castle of Monjardín, the family's other inheritance, was nearby, and together these territories formed a wealthy and militarily powerful entity.

Construction[edit]

Coat of Arms of the noble Vélaz de Medrano family in Igúzquiza. Note the goshawk on the hand. The surname Vélaz de Medrano can be translated literally as "Goshawk of Medrano"

The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was initially built in the XI century as a fortified castle.[6] 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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[7] This door opens onto the parade ground, one of whose corners is occupied by the ashlar palace and cushioned ashlar at the base.[4]

The castle-palace still features arrow slits and is covered in the upper area by machicolations. The Medieval fortress of Igúzquiza was partially demolished and rebuilt in brick, with a palatial character. 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.[8] 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,"[9] 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[edit]

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[edit]

Coat of arms of the House of Medrano (1568)

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. By the 18th century, ownership had transferred to Medrano's Marquisate of Vessolla. 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 and their progenitor's hand clutching a goshawk, encircled by the inscription "AVE MARIA, GRATIA PLENA, DOMINUS TECUM."[10]

Aerial view of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano and Igúzquiza

Every single person in 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.[11] The origin of the House of Medrano can be traced back to the progenitor of the Medrano surname and lineage: Andrés Vélaz de Medrano, a Moorish prince from the Caliphate of Cordoba, who entered Igúzquiza, Navarre around the year 979.[12][4][13]

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.[14]

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). Since Andrés Velaz 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 Velaz many times afterwards saying, "Medra o no?" (Does he prosper or no?) to which the Caliph's courtiers replied "no". Don Andrés Velaz, having knowledge of this, took the Caliph's question and his courtiers answer as his surname, and called himself Medrano.[15]

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

His descendants, the lords of Iguzquiza of the main 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).[6] 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, and later Counts of Torrubia, Marquesses of Espinal, Tabuérniga, Fontellas, Vessolla etc.[4] 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 Ferran 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 Ferran Vélaz de Medrano and his children and grandchildren, which were often attended by the Navarrese Monarchs themselves.[16]

Don Ferran 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.[17]

Castle of Amaiur-Maya before 1512, sign at the foot of the hill

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.[6] 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. The Medrano family in Iguzquiza and Learza were prominent in the conquest and resistance of the last royal castle in Navarre: Amaiur-Maya. After the defeat, Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, alcaide of Amaiur-Maya and his son Don Luis Vélaz de Medrano were transferred to the prison of the castle of Pamplona in 1522.[6]

In 1564, Captain Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, lord of Iguzquiza, enjoyed a bed grant of 40,000 maravedís. His son Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, another 30,000 from 1595, which in 1636 would pass to his heir who also had the same name.[7] 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.[18]

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,[19] 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;[20] son of Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, Alcaide of the Castle of Monjardin and Santacara,[21] and his wife Ana de Mauleon y Navarra.[22] 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.[22]

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.[23]

Gallery[edit]

  • Main noand he Palace of Velaye Medrano
    Main noand he Palace of Velaye 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[edit]

  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 https://listarojapatrimonio.org/lista-roja-patrimonio/wp-content/uploads/Las-casas-se%C3%B1oriales-de-Olloqui-y-Belaz-de-Medrano.pdf
  5. ^ "Gran Enciclopedia de Navarra | SANTESTEBAN DE LA SOLANA, VALLE". Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ a b c "Gran Enciclopedia de Navarra | IGÚZQUIZA". Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  8. ^ 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
  9. ^ 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).
  10. ^ https://www.fundacioncajanavarra.es/cultura-y-educacion/archivo/navarra-castillos-y-palacios.pdf
  11. ^ "Medrano". Armorial.org (in French). 2015-10-25. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  12. ^ "MEDRANO - Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia". aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Las casas señoriales de Olloqui y Belaz de Medrano, 'EL PALACIO DE BELAZ DE MEDRAN0' Page 38 - 43
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Archivo de la Casa de Batona, seccion de Curiosidades y papales sweltos car. 30, num 66
  17. ^ "MEDRANO, Ferrán Vélaz de - Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia". aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  18. ^ http://www.enciclopedianavarra.com/?page_id=17069
  19. ^ "Antonia Velaz de Medrano y Lapeña: geneaordonez". www.geneaordonez.es. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  20. ^ Idem id., papeles sueltos. Leg. 21, num 3
  21. ^ "Jeronimo Velaz de Medrano y Peñeyro: geneaordonez". www.geneaordonez.es. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  22. ^ a b "Ana de Mauleon y Navarra: geneaordonez". www.geneaordonez.es. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  23. ^ http://www.enciclopedianavarra.com/?page_id=17069
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