Palacio de Inestrillas

Palacio de Inestrillas was an 18th-century manor house in the hamlet of Inestrillas, part of the municipality of Aguilar del Río Alhama in La Rioja — a building that no longer physically exists, having collapsed entirely in 2021, though its story still draws attention from anyone interested in the region's heritage.

What was the Palacio de Inestrillas?

The building dated from the 18th century and stood almost flush against a rock cliff face, with its facade oriented to the south. Its rooms made use of the natural hollows in the rock, and some were carved directly into the stone — a construction approach typical of this stretch of the Alhama river valley, where rock-cut settlement goes back to the early Middle Ages. The palace formed part of a larger complex tied to the original settlement of Inestrillas, also known historically as Finistriellas.

What did the building look like?

The facade measured roughly twelve metres wide by twenty metres tall. It was built of rubble masonry, with window openings and loopholes — a detail pointing to the defensive origins of the site, even though by the 18th century the building functioned as a residence rather than a fortification. The house remained inhabited until the 1960s.

Who owned the palace?

The estate belonged to Pedro González de Castejón y Salazar, Marquis of González de Castejón, who served as Minister of the Navy under King Charles III in the 18th century. Under his ownership the palace served as the family's representative seat, linked to the title of the Counts of Aguilar de Inestrillas.

What happened to it in 2021?

Since 2007 the building had been listed on the red list of endangered heritage, owing to its worsening condition and high risk of collapse. Those warnings proved accurate — on 31 January 2021 the supporting wall split in two, bringing down the entire structure. As a result, Palacio de Inestrillas became the first monument in La Rioja to enter the "Black List of Heritage" (Lista Negra del Patrimonio) maintained by the Hispania Nostra association.

What can visitors see in Inestrillas today?

Although the palace itself no longer stands, the site of the former settlement — with its rock-cut remains and traces of the old castle — still holds interest for visitors looking for lesser-known historical spots in La Rioja. What remains, above all, is a story about lost heritage and how fragile unprotected monuments can be.

Frequently asked questions

Can Palacio de Inestrillas still be visited? Not in its original form — the building collapsed in January 2021 and no longer stands as a coherent structure. The site of the former rock-cut settlement is still accessible, but without the palace.

When was the palace built? The building dates from the 18th century, though settlement at Inestrillas itself goes back much further, to the early medieval period.

Who owned the estate? Pedro González de Castejón y Salazar, Marquis of González de Castejón, Minister of the Navy under Charles III.

Why did the palace collapse? From 2007 onward the building was in very poor structural condition and listed as endangered heritage. In January 2021 the wall supporting the structure split, causing the entire building to collapse.