Varona Tower Palace
The Tower and Palace of Villanañe form the best-preserved fortified complex in Álava. It comprises a defensive tower, accompanied by the palace and the barbican that protects both, along with the water-filled moat that surrounds the complex on its east, west, and south sides. In front of the complex stands a fountain topped with the effigy of “La Varona,” along with the Varona family’s tombstone and coat of arms sculpted upon it. This beautiful garden was created in 1848 by Rodrigo Pedro de Varona y Salazar.
The origins of the Varona tower-palace complex date back to the late 15th or early 15th century, and it was continuously inhabited by the direct descendants of the founders until its restoration and subsequent opening to the public.
Regarding the origin of the Varona surname;
“The surname Varona originated when Doña María Pérez, a young, beautiful maiden, was living with her brothers Alvar and Gómez. These brothers, as noblemen and captains skilled in the military, had been summoned by King Alfonso VI of Castile to serve in the war he had planned against King Alfonso of Aragon, their stepfather. Finding themselves in a state of confusion, pondering how to leave their sister with the decorum befitting her rank, status, or station, she resolutely told them to put their worries aside. She thought it most fitting and proper for her to accompany them, dressing and arming herself in the same manner as they would be going. And so it was done. When battle broke out in the Aragonese fields, in the confusion of the fighting, and as night fell, they could not find one another. The brothers were worried about María’s fate. And the writings say: The maiden came to meet with The lord of Alfonso of Aragon, who had also separated from his own, and a fight broke out between the two. And although Doña María’s sword had broken, she subdued the king and took him prisoner. Presented to King Alfonso of Castile, who was in his tent, surprised by this feat and even more so when he saw that she was a maiden, he said to her: “You have acted not as a weak woman, but as a strong man, and you and your descendants should be called Varona…” (From the Memorial of Don Francisco Varona).
Interesting facts
The original name of Villanañe may have been Nabia. From there came “Villanavia” and later “Villalinage,” as it was the ancestral home of the Varona family. The name was changed to Villanañe at the request of the locals themselves; “…and since the name Villanage sounded very unpleasant to the ears of the poor, patient people, they were allowed to call it Villanañe.”
The inhabitants of the first settlement of Nabia paid tribute to the Varona family, which consisted of one golden eagle and two falcons per year. They also had other obligations; two residents of the village had the duty, two on one night and two on the next, to stand every night from May 1st to July 3rd, with two sticks five varas long, striking the pit they call the cava, and reciting the privilege: “So that the frogs do not wake the lord.” This custom gave rise to the demonym “callaranas” (frog-lovers).