Palace of Vélaz de Medrano

The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano (Basque: Vélaz de Medranotarren Gaztelua-Jauregia; Spanish: Palacio de Vélaz de Medrano, also known as Castillo Palacio de Cabo de Armería de los Vélaz de Medrano de Igúzquiza) is a historic castle-palace located in Igúzquiza, Navarre, within the valley of Santesteban de la Solana. It served as a palacio de cabo de armería (armory corporal) of the Kingdom of Navarre, and stood as the ancestral seat and principal residence of the noble Medrano family, the hereditary lords of the Basque lordship of Igúzquiza for centuries. From the palace, they safeguarded the routes leading from Álava and Logroño, protecting the valley of Santesteban de la Solana. Today, the building remains privately owned and is recognized as part of Spain's Historical Heritage. It has been protected under the general declaration of 22 April 1949 and the provisions of Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage.
The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was also certified and protected by the Commission of Historical and Artistic Monuments of Navarre, a public institution responsible for the conservation and safeguarding of antiquities. This commission served as a direct predecessor—alongside the Council of Culture—to the modern Prince of Viana Institution, which oversees Navarre's cultural heritage. In addition, the palace has been recognized by the Scientific Committee of Hispania Nostra, which has included it in the official Red List of Heritage at Risk (Lista Roja del Patrimonio).
The Medrano family, particularly the Lord of Igúzquiza, was among the 74 nobles who held a seat in the Noble Estate of the Courts of Navarre, a distinction within the ancient nobility. Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Mauleon was considered the oldest of nobility, and as such was summoned to the noble estate of the Courts of Navarre in the year 1580.
The name 'Vélaz de Medrano' is derived from the Basque word 'Vélaz,' meaning 'goshawk,' and the surname 'Medrano,' which signifies 'abundance, growth, prosperity, or improvement.' Thus, its meaning could be interpreted as the palace of the goshawk of prosperity, abundance, or improvement.
Igúzquiza is a village located on flat terrain, surrounded by a large oak forest that, in the late 18th century, extended for about a league and a half. To the north flows the Ega River, and perched above its escarpment stands a stone and brick castle belonging to the Vélaz de Medrano family, who were the lords of the area. 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. Santesteban de la Solana was formed by the current municipalities of Arróniz, Barbarin, Igúzquiza, Luquin, and Villamayor de Monjardín.
The coat of arms at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano displays a divided shield: 1) A cross, gules, charged with a trefoil cross, Or, and quartered: a) argent, a goshawk; b) Or, three caldrons, sable in fess; c) argent, a wolf, proper; d) argent, two roundels, vert. 2) Quarterly of three: a) Or (gold), a branch of three shoots, vert; b) divided, gules and argent; c) Or, a rake, azure; d) triangulated, argent and azure. The general border is silver, with the motto in sable letters: "Ave María Gratia Plena Dominus Tecum".
It is noted that this coat of arms was situated above the door of the old Palace of Vélaz de Medrano, near Estella. Others from the palace of Medrano depicted a gules field with a silver trefoil cross. The border featured the Ave Maria motto.
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.
According to N.L.B. in La Silva Curiosa (1583), the Medrano family are:
A historical reference to the Medrano family’s origins appears in Pedro Pineda's 1740 bilingual dictionary, where he affirms their princely and Moorish descent:
The origin account of the Medrano family is not preserved as folklore, but formally documented across centuries of scholarly and cultural record as a novelita histórica. It appears in the Boletín de la Comisión de Monumentos Históricos y Artísticos de Navarra (1923) through the work of Pedro Emiliano Zorrilla and the Navarrese Chronicler Julio Altadill [es], in Etnografía Histórica de Navarra, Vol. 2 (1972) by Julio Caro Baroja, and as early as 1612 in Francisco Mosquera de Barnuevo’s La Numantina. Across these works, the narrative bridges local memory and national nobiliary history, anchoring the Medrano progenitor in the architectural, spiritual, and dynastic fabric of the Kingdom of Navarre.
Everyone from the House of Medrano is a descendant of a common ancestor named Medrano; the origin of this surname is not merely coincidental. The Medrano family is legendarily said to lineally descend from a Moorish prince who led a powerful army into Navarra around the year 979. This princely progenitor came from the royal retinue and army of the Caliph of Cordoba, Abd al-Rahman III.
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. Abd al-Rahman III sent him with part of the army to cut down the region of Igúzquiza; he left with an army around 979, leaving his lands and vassals, he decided to serve King Sancho II of Pamplona, who welcomed him into the kingdom of Pamplona.
Andrés Vélaz 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, while in the palace of 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 landing on the hand of this prince, the Apostle Saint Andrew suddenly appeared, exhorting and baptizing him.
While this Moorish prince held the goshawk, Saint Andrew banished the diabolical mayordomo who had been watching and compelled him to admit his evil intentions. This prince, who received baptism directly from Saint Andrew, adopted the name Andrés "Vélaz," and added both the goshawk bearing the Ave Maria and 8 saltire crosses in honor of Saint Andrew to his coat of arms. The knight received the Christian name of Andrés, after Andrew, the apostle, along with Vélaz or Bélaz, which in Basque means goshawk, after the one that landed on his hand.
Now a Christian, he became a leader of his new faith, which greatly upset the Caliph of Córdoba. Formerly a powerful figure among the Moors with immense wealth, he lost it all after his conversion, receiving little support from the king of Pamplona, whom he had loyally served.
Regarding his surname "Medrano," it was claimed to originate from a Moorish king's inquiry about whether he was prospering or not. The Caliph of Córdoba was astonished by his transformation and departure. The Caliph repeatedly inquired about Andrés Vélaz, asking:
The traditional origin of the Medrano name is widely accepted within the family and supported by heraldic, architectural, and linguistic evidence. The origin legend of the Vélaz de Medrano lineage parallels the story of Teodosio de Goñi and Saint Michael [es].
The Medrano family is a very ancient House of noble origin, it is found in different times and in different places. Many principles are attributed to them by authors and historians:
The House of Medrano played a pivotal role in the political, military, and religious history of medieval Navarre. In La Numantina (1612), Francisco Mosquera de Barnuevo affirms:
Blas Íñiguez de Medrano, cited in 1044 as owning land near a ford in Viero under the monastery of Santa María la Real of Nájera, claimed descent from the House of Íñiguez, the first kings of Pamplona.
In 1185, María Ramírez de Medrano, Lady of Fuenmayor, established the hospital, commandery, and convent of San Juan de Acre for the Knights Hospitaller, demonstrating the Medrano family’s high noble status and capacity for military-religious patronage as early as the 12th century.
Pedro González de Medrano, who carried the family banner bearing a gules field with an argent hollow cross fleury, fought at Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) in the royal retinue of Sancho VII of Navarre, while Martín López de Medrano, who bore the same banner in or, fought for Alfonso VIII of Castile in his retinue at the same battle. The Medrano family brought the family banner to the battle of Baeza (1227), and to the battle of Río Salado (1340).
Pedro's son, Íñigo Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Sartaguda, joined the Eighth Crusade (1270) alongside Kings Louis IX of France and Theobald II of Navarre. His seal appears in a 1268 donation to the Monastery of Leyre. He was the father of Juan Martínez de Medrano, and the grandfather of Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar. His great-great-grandson, Álvar Díaz de Medrano, son of Juan Vélaz de Medrano, inherited the Lordship of Igúzquiza.
The House of Medrano emerged in late 13th-century Navarre as part of the highest ranks of the kingdom’s nobility, wielding broad influence across Navarre. The family served both the Crown of Navarre and the Crown of France in key roles, including as royal representatives, diplomats, ricohombres, crusaders, knights, alcaides, and members of the clergy. Closely aligned with the Capetian dynasty, the Medranos rose rapidly in power.
Their advancement may have been supported by royal favor, particularly from Philip IV of France (I of Navarre). The Medrano family was among the few noble houses of the period to strategically pursue authority across multiple ecclesiastical centers, reinforcing their position through a combination of military, legal, and religious offices.
By the early 14th century, members of the family had secured the priorate of Roncesvalles and contested the bishopric of Pamplona, highlighting their presence in the highest ecclesiastical circles. In 1304, Rodrigo Ibáñez de Medrano, then precentor of the Cathedral of Pamplona, contested the Bishopric of Pamplona but ultimately withdrew his claim in 1308 before his death. Around the same time, Andrés Ruiz de Medrano served as Prior of Roncesvalles until 1321, reflecting the family's growing influence in both ecclesiastical and political spheres.
Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar, a direct ancestor of the Lords of Igúzquiza, was appointed Regent of Navarre in 1328 following the death of Charles IV of France. As regent, he and his fellow nobles convened the Cortes of Navarre in the Plaza del Castillo of Pamplona on 1 May 1328, where the kingdom formally recognized Joan II of Navarre and Philip III as sovereigns. He and his son Álvaro reformed the Fueros of Navarre in 1330. Later Medrano regents include García de Medrano y Álvarez de los Ríos (1645, Habsburg) and Pedro Antonio de Medrano y Albelda (1702, Bourbon).
According to Las Mercedes Nobiliarias del Reino de Navarra by Iñaki Garrido Yerobi, the Medrano family formed a deeply entrenched branch of the titled nobility of the kingdom. Juan Martínez de Medrano's descendants, including the Lords of Igúzquiza, Learza, and Arróniz, intermarried with the royal House of Évreux, securing maternal descent from Kings Philip III, Charles II, and Enrique I of Navarre.
This royal lineage continued through the Viscounts of Azpa and Marquesses of Fontellas, culminating in figures such as Pedro Antonio de Medrano y Albelda, Bourbon-era Regent of Navarre. As shown in Garrido Yerobi’s genealogical table, Pedro Antonio de Medrano and his line also trace their ancestry to Íñigo Arista, the first King of Pamplona, placing the Medrano family in direct descent from both the founding monarch of Navarre and its later Capetian rulers.
Descendants of Andrés Vélaz de Medrano held a wide range of noble titles over the centuries, including—but not limited to—the following:
Through Andrés de Medrano y Mendizábal, 2nd Count of Torrubia, his descendants became Dukes of Gor. Another descendant, Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte, Marquess of Tabuérniga and a Knight of the Order of Malta, inherited the title Grandee of Spain.
The Palace of the Vélaz de Medrano, located in Igúzquiza, Navarra, hosted a significant commemorative event on 18 May 2013, to honor its historical role in the defense of the Kingdom of Navarra. Organized by the Igúzquiza District Council in collaboration with the Igúzquiza Council, the event included the installation of a commemorative milestone at the entrance of the palace. A guided tour of the palace was conducted by historian Toño Ros, Followed by the official inauguration of the milestone.
The commemorative plaque was 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.
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 Medrano lords of the palace. It is mentioned that "the cause and the date when they were placed are unknown."
The family’s noble heritage was matched by a set of enduring traditions, chivalric values, and legendary deeds — many of which became embedded in the cultural memory of Navarre. A knight of the Medrano lineage, featured in a 15th-century anecdote, reveals the chivalric traditions associated with the Medrano family's extensive history, as described by Ramírez de Avalos.
While traveling between Sangüesa and Aibar, a knight from the Medrano lineage encountered Sancho Derbiti, also known as Sancho de Erviti, who was described as "the stubborn brave man rather than a Christian."
Derbiti, who had adopted the motto "yes, no," was criticized by this knight of the Medrano lineage for his obstinacy and his chosen motto. This led to a confrontation where the Medrano knight declared, "I’ll unleash the Devil to fight you." Derbiti accepted the challenge, allegedly fought the demon, and then reconciled with the Medrano knight. They proceeded to duel with halberds, leaving Derbiti so shaken that he remained bedridden for two months.
Juan Baños de Velasco, general chronicler of Castile and the Cronista Rey de Armas (king of arms), collects a legend, according to which, a knight of the Medrano lineage, relative of the King of Navarre, while fighting against the Moors, raised his eyes to the sky and saw the sun tinged in blood and crowned by a cross with four arms of silver. Astonished by the vision, he addressed his family and said these words:
Medrano's legendary vision described by Juan Baños de Velasco aligns closely with documented atmospheric phenomena, notably a "parhelion," or sundog. Medieval knights and warriors often interpreted such celestial occurrences as divine signs. A famous example is the Battle of Mortimer's Cross (1461), during the Wars of the Roses, where Edward of York (later King Edward IV) witnessed a parhelion displaying three suns. He interpreted this phenomenon as symbol of God, inspiring his troops to victory.
The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was initially built in the XI century as a fortified castle by the noble Medrano family. 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. A 3D model of the palace in its current state was digitally rendered by Jorge Cortez. 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. This door opens onto the military parade ground, one of whose corners is occupied by the ashlar palace and cushioned ashlar at the base.
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.
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.
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 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.
The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano exemplifies the architectural evolution of medieval castles and fortifications. Initially designed with embrasures and arrow slits for archers, these defensive features were adapted in the 16th century to accommodate musket fire and, in the case of the palace itself, even small-caliber artillery.
The rear part is the oldest. 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.
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," 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.
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. Shortly after the city's establishment in the 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.
The ancient lords of Igúzquiza, regarded among the oldest of Navarrese nobility, were known as ricoshombres, or parientes mayores—the greater kinsmen—a title used for the knightly landowners of the Basque region who held vast territorial dominions. The lords of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano were direct heirs of the founder of their lineage, the one who conquered the land, its inhabitants, and the resources with which to build the castle, and who gave his name to the surname.
The estate was recognized as a palacio de cabo de armería [es], a head of armory in the Kingdom of Navarre. 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. The palacios de cabo de armería, or cabo de armería palaces, also known as casas de cabo de armería, were considered the heads of lineages and the ancestral seats of the oldest nobility; that is, they are the original ancestral homes of the oldest lineages in the Kingdom of Navarre.
The goshawk bearing the "Ave Maria" was not a passing symbol. It became the enduring emblem of the House of Medrano across centuries — etched into the keystone of their ancestral palace in Igúzquiza, borne by the Lords of that same region and beyond, and enshrined in the crowned arms of the Barons of Mahave.
The Medrano family were tasked with overseeing one of the kingdom's crucial defenses, namely the defensive perimeter around the merindad of Estella. The Vélaz de Medrano family were also 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 of Vélaz de Medrano, where the weapons of war were stored (Cabo de Armería). The Medrano family were known as ricoshombres (rich-men) of Navarre. They were also the governors (alcaide) 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.
After the invasion of Navarre in 1512, the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano became strategic during the uprising of the merindad and the Insurrection of Navarre. The defense of the Navarrese crown was led by leading nobles, namely the kings Major Knight and Merino of Estella, Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, Lord of Igúzquiza, and his brother, Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, royal guard of the king and captain of the kings standing army. 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.
After the conquest of Navarre, the Lord of Iguzquiza accepted the general pardon in 1524. On 1 September 1552, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor issued the Carta Ejecutoria de Hidalguía to confirm the noble status of the Medrano family.
The Vélaz de Medrano family were the original owners of the palace. In 1685, José Piñeiro de Elio y Vélaz de Medrano petitioned the Kingdom to recognize it as a cabo de armería (a noble military estate). By the 18th century, ownership had transferred to José de Elío y Ayanz de Navarra de Esparza Artieda y Vélaz de Medrano, 1st Marquess of Vesolla.
Heir to an ancient lordship, Álvar Diaz de Medrano y Almoravid became the Lord of Igúzquiza, ricohombre of Navarre and owner of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano in the late 14th century. In 1380 he was Alcaide of Monjardin Castle, and the following two years he was listed among the King's Mesnaderos. His Majesty granted Álvar Díaz de Medrano a certain income with the obligation to serve him as a mesnadero with weapons and horses for a limited time when necessary.
Álvar Díaz de Medrano y Almoravid was the son of the ricohombre Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Sánchez and Bona de Almoravid, from the House of Almoravid, one of the twelve original ricoshombres in Navarre. His father appeared as the Alcaide of the Tower of Viana in 1328. He received an emolument of 35 pounds. Juan Vélaz de Medrano, third of the name, Alcaide of Viana and Dicastillo, died in 1342.
Álvar Diaz de Medrano y Almoravid is the paternal grandson of Juan Martínez de Medrano, regent of the Kingdom of Navarre in 1328, and his wife Aldonza Sánchez. His grandfather's leading role in the political scene came after the death of the last Capetian sovereign, Charles the Fair, on 1 February 1328.
Álvar Díaz de Medrano y Almoravid passed the title of Lord of Igúzquiza to his son and heir, Juan Vélaz de Medrano, the fourth of his name. A ricohombre, knight, and royal chamberlain to the Kings of Navarre and Aragon, Juan Vélaz de Medrano was also made the 1st Lord of Learza. He established the mayorazgo de los Vélaz de Medrano family in Viana, which encompassed the Lordships of Igúzquiza, Arguiñano, Arzoz, Artazu, Zabal, Orendáin, and Learza. Additionally, he served as the alcaide (governor) of Monjardín Castle and Viana. Juan married Bianca de Ruen and was the father of Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano y Ruen, who succeeded as Lord of Igúzquiza in the 15th century.
In 1456, Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano, ricohombre of Navarre, became the Alcaide of the castle of Monjardín, and in 1461, he inherited the lordship of Igúzquiza from his father, Juan Vélaz de Medrano. Under Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano, the palace was already considered ancient. He rebuilt the Castle of Vélaz de Medrano into a fortified palace in the mid-15th century, which was famous for the splendor of the festivities held by Ferrán and his children and grandchildren, which were often attended by the Navarrese Monarchs themselves.
Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Igúzquiza in 1461, became the 2nd Lord of Learza in 1450. By 1452, he participated in the siege of Genevilla, held by supporters of Prince Carlos. In 1455, King John II of Aragon and Navarre 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.
Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano married Elvira de Goñi, daughter of Mosén Juan de Goñi. Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Igúzquiza had a daughter named María Vélaz de Medrano y Goñi. Ferrán was the maternal grandfather of Fray Juan López Vélaz de Eulate y Medrano, born in Estella around 1470. Fray Juan was the son of the distinguished Lord Juan López Martínez de Eulate and his mother Maria Vélaz de Medrano, daughter of Ferrán Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Igúzquiza and Learza. By 1506, Ferrán's grandson had become Commander of Indurain.
Ferrán's son and heir, Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Goñi, fifth of the name, became the Lord of Iguzquiza, Agos, Aguinano, the 3rd Lord of Learza, and the alcaide of the castle of Monjardin. He married Elvira de Echauz y Beaumont, daughter of the 15th Viscount of Baiguer [es], Carlos de Echauz y Diaz de Villegas and Jean Marguerite de Beaumont y Courton. Juana Margaret de Beaumont was the granddaughter of Prince Louis of Navarre, Duke of Durazzo, son of King Philip III of Navarre, of the house of Évreux, which is a minor branch of the Capetian dynasty.
Medrano's heir, Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, sixth of the same name, became the Lord of Iguzquiza, Agos, and the 4th Lord of Learza, major knight of King Juan de Albret, Alcaide of Del Castillo and the castle of Monjardin.
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.
Juan Vélaz de Medrano married with Ana de Mauleon y Navarra, daughter of Landron de Mauleon y Claver and Juana de Navarra y Enriquez de Lacarra, sister of Marshal Pedro de Navarra and a descendant of Kings Enrique I and Charles II of Évreux. His wife Juana de Navarra y Enriquez de Lacarra was the daughter of Pedro de Navarra y Peralta, III Viscount of Muruzábal and Inés Enríquez de Lacarra y Foxan.
The Vizcountess Ines Enriquez de Lacarra y Foxan was the daughter of Beltran "el Joven" Enriquez de Lacarra y Moncayo, IV Lord of Ablitas and his wife Isabel de Foxan, Lady of Eriete and Posante. Her father was the son of Felipe IV de Navarra, II Viscount of Muruzábal and Juana de Peralta y Ezpeleta. Filipe IV de Navarra, 2nd Viscount of Muruzábal was the son of the 1st Viscount of Muruzabal, Prince Leonel de Navarra and Maria Juana Elsa de Luna. The Viscount of Muruzabal takes its name from an old royal manor town called Muruzábal. In 1407, King Carlos III included it within the Viscount created in favor of his brother Prince Leonel de Navarra.
Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz and Ana de Mauleon y Navarra were the parents of Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Mauelon y Navarra, Lord of Igúzquiza and of the ancient Palace of Vélaz de Medrano, maternal great-great-great-great-grandson of King Charles II of Navarre.
Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Mauleon y Navarra was the seventh of the name, Lord of Igúzquiza, Agos, Arguiñaro, Orendain, Zabala, Arroniz and the 5th Lord of Learza. He was the son of Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz and Ana de Mauleon y Navarra. He is a maternal great-great-great-great-grandson of King Charles II of Navarre. In 1543, he married Maria de Piñeiro, Lady of Eriete, patron of the company of Jesus in Pamplona and Trapani (Sicily). Maria de Piñeiro belonged to an illustrious family of Galicia, well known from ancient and modern genealogists.
Juan Vélaz de Medrano's son and heir Jeronimo Vélaz de Medrano y Piñeiro became the Lord of Igúzquiza, Agos, Aguinaro, Orendain, Zabala, Arroniz and the 6th Lord of Learza. Jeronimo married Isabel de Lapena y Huidobro. They were the parents of Antonia Vélaz de Medrano. Her line became collateral when her father produced no male heir to inherit the family mayorazgo and associated lordships, castles and privileges of the Lords of Igúzquiza.
Jeronimo's daughter Antonia Velaz de Medrano Pinerio Mauleon y Dicastillo, became the Lady of Igúzquiza, Eriete, Orendain, Agos, the 7th Lady of Learza, etc., she also became the patroness saint of the company of Jesus in Pamplona and Trapani, in whom the four houses of their surnames met. Her descendants (her first-born) all carried the Vélaz de Medrano surname, after those of Esparaza and Artieda.
She married with Francisco de Elio Esparza y Artieda, having a son called Don Gaspar Pineiro de Elio Esparza y Artieda Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Elio, Vesolla, Eriete, Igúzquiza and Learza.
Gaspar Piñeiro de Elío y Esparza de Artieda y Vélaz de Medrano became the Lord of the Palace and Town of Igúzquiza, Orendain, 8th Lord of Learza, etc., inherited through his mother Antonia Vélaz de Medrano y Lapeña.
By 1671, the palace was owned by José Piñeiro de Elío y Vélaz de Medrano, son of Gaspar Piñeiro de Elío y Vélaz de Medrano, who engaged in a legal conflict over pasture rights. Built by the Vélaz de Medrano family in the beginning of the 11th century, the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano was requested by José Piñeiro de Elio in 1685 to be registered as a head of armory of the Kingdom. In 1704, local jurors accused him of abusing neighborhood rights, but the ecclesiastical court dismissed the case.
By 1723, the palace had officially come into the possession of the Marquess of Vessolla, a title granted by King Philip V in 1702 to José de Elío y Ayanz de Navarra de Esparza Artieda y Vélaz de Medrano, the equerry and royal steward to Queen Mariana de Austria. In 1755, the Marquess filed a lawsuit against the local vicar over preeminences, as the vicar had interfered with traditional practices during All Saints' and Souls' Days. The court mostly sided with the Marquess but upheld the vicar's prohibition on extinguishing candles against the church walls. 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."
Around 1564, Captain Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, a resident of Igúzquiza, enjoyed an accommodation grant of 40,000 maravedís. His son Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, also a resident of Iguzquiza, another 30,000 from 1595, which in 1636 would be granted to his son Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, who also had the same name as the previous two.
Diego Vélaz de Medrano y Udobro, was the lord of the palaces and towns of Igúzquiza, Learza and Orendáin in Navarre at the end of the 16th century. Sebastiana Vélaz de Medrano, who married Diego Huidobro de la Peña, faced legal battles in 1609 and 1617 regarding the patronage of the church of Arzoz. Her daughter, Polonia Huidobro y Vélaz de Medrano, continued these disputes in 1625. In 1587, 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."
In the judicial proceedings produced by the Corte Mayor de Navarra, spanning from January 13, 1598, to April 17, 1598, Diego Huidobro de Lapeña and Sebastiana Velaz de Medrano, lords of Learza and Orendain (Guirguillano), along with others, were plaintiffs. They filed charges against Sancho Fernandez de Arizaleta, Juan Ochoa de Jaurrieta, Miguel de Eneriz, and fellow residents of Mendigorria. The accusations included theft of firewood and an assault on Juan Sanchez, a guard of Orendain (Guirguillano).
Other Navarrese lordships of the Medrano family belonged to Francisco Argaiz Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of the house of Argaiz in Peralta. There was also Francisco Roque Velázquez de Medrano, Lord of Saldaiz and of the Artázcoz Palace. Gaspar Vélazquez de Medrano, Luis Velázquez de Medrano and Carlos Velázquez de Medrano y Vergara, José Vicente Velázquez de Medrano y Marichalar and Manuel Velázquez de Medrano y Zaro, were all Lords of the palace of Artázcoz.
The palace of Artázcoz still stands with two sections, several coats of arms, a tower, and houses with arched entrances. The palace of Artázcoz was officially listed as a "cabo de armería" in the Kingdom's registry, as confirmed by its owner Carlos de Elío y Arbizu in 1679. He and his son-in-law Carlos Velázquez de Medrano sought an exemption for the palace in 1702. By 1723, it belonged to Luis Velázquez de Medrano y Elío, and by 1766, it was owned by Lord Francisco Roque Velázquez de Medrano.