Palace of Zabaleta

Palace of Zabaleta is a Gothic tower house standing in the town of Lesaka, in Navarre, tucked behind the town hall on Calle Arrechea. It's one of just two surviving medieval lineage towers in Lesaka — the other being Minyurinea — and one of the best-preserved examples of Basque-Navarrese defensive architecture from the 15th century.

Where did this tower come from?

The building's story begins in 1444. King John II of Navarre rewarded his courtier Ochoa López de Zabaleta for defending Lesaka against a Gipuzkoan attack by granting him funds to rebuild the family tower house, which the attackers had burned down. The new tower rose on the foundations of the destroyed one and has carried the Zabaleta name ever since — locally it's also known as Kaxerna.

What will you actually see?

The structure is made up of two joined sections: an older, plainer lineage tower and, attached to it, a Gothic tower crowned with a gallery of machicolations, a defensive feature typical of the period. The building has a rectangular floor plan, with slender pointed-arch windows cut into its façades. The most striking feature is the first-floor window — an enormous Gothic pointed arch that originally served as the tower's main entrance.

Zabaleta has survived in remarkably good condition, which is unusual among Navarre's defensive towers, many of which remain only as ruins. Since 1992 (Foral Decree of 14 February), the building has been listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's highest tier of heritage protection.

Can you go inside?

The palace remains private property and is used as a residence, so the interior isn't open to visitors. The tower is best appreciated from the outside, while wandering the narrow streets of Lesaka's historic centre — the town itself, with its stone houses bearing family coats of arms, rewards a slow walk.

How do you get to Lesaka?

Lesaka sits in northern Navarre, in the Bidasoa valley, close to the border with Gipuzkoa and not far from the Atlantic coast. Driving is the easiest option: the town lies on the road linking the Bidasoa valley with inland Navarre, at a reasonable distance from both Pamplona and San Sebastián. The historic centre where the tower stands is entirely walkable, so once you've parked, everything is within easy reach on foot.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons for exploring Lesaka — the mild climate of this Basque-Navarrese border area is ideal for longer walks through the surrounding hills and valleys. In summer the town becomes a popular stop for visitors touring the Bidasoa valley, so expect more foot traffic on weekends.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of Palace of Zabaleta? No — it's a private residence, and can only be seen from the outside.

How old is the tower? The current building dates to 1444, when the earlier, burned-down Zabaleta family tower was rebuilt.

What sets Zabaleta apart from other towers in the region? Its remarkably good state of preservation, plus the combination of an older lineage tower joined to a later Gothic tower with a machicolation gallery.

Is there anything else worth seeing in Lesaka? Yes — the town also has a second historic tower, Minyurinea, and its centre, lined with stone houses bearing coats of arms, is well worth a walk.