Lili jauregia

Lili Jauregia (Palacio Lili), in the Basque town of Zestoa, is a palace complex whose roots reach back to the 16th century.

What will you see?

The site brings together two connected structures: the palace itself and an adjoining tower called Lilibea. The stone facade of the palace stands out as one of the more striking examples of medieval-style palace architecture in the area, and the wrought-iron window grilles are worth a close look — their elaborate craftsmanship once signaled the wealth and standing of the Lili family. Walking around the building, you can trace how a defensive tower house was gradually reshaped into a residential palace, with the older, sturdier core still visible alongside the later, more refined additions.

How to get there?

Zestoa sits in the Urola river valley in Gipuzkoa, within easy reach of towns like Zumaia and Azpeitia. The palace stands on Calle Portale, right in the town centre, so arriving by car or by the local buses that run along the Urola valley is the most practical option; from Donostia-San Sebastián the drive takes roughly half an hour.

The history behind the walls

The building began life as a modest tower house, which Domenja de Lili and her son Juan Pérez de Idiáquez turned into a full palace. The Lili family held extensive farmland, woods and river rights in the surrounding countryside, building their fortune on iron and timber production. Beyond serving as a home, the palace acted as the operational base for these ventures and as a visible marker of the family's standing in the region. Later, the building lost its residential role and was put to use as a farmhouse for a long stretch of its history.

When to visit?

In 2000 the municipality of Zestoa took ownership of the palace and began restoration work, alongside a programme of theatrical guided visits. Because access ties in with these staged tours, it's worth checking with the local tourism office for scheduled dates before planning a trip, as the interior isn't simply open on a walk-in basis.

What does the visit involve?

The tour blends the real rooms of the palace with a dramatized performance: an actress plays Andre Madalen, the last member of the Lili lineage, carrying visitors back to the year 1678 as she leads them through the halls. Along the way she recounts the family's fortunes and daily life inside the residence, turning the rooms into a piece of lived history rather than an empty museum shell — a rare chance to sense what a Basque noble household once felt like, instead of just viewing a static display.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Lili Jauregia located? The palace stands in the centre of Zestoa, in Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country, on Calle Portale.

Can you visit the palace on your own? Visits are mainly organized as theatrical guided tours, so it's best to check the schedule with the local tourism office before you go.

Where did the Lili family's wealth come from? Their fortune rested on extensive farmland, forests, and iron and timber production.

What is Lilibea? It's the original, smaller tower house that later grew into the full Lili Jauregia palace complex.