Palacio de los Condes de Bureta

Palacio de los Condes de Bureta is an 18th-century noble residence in the village of Bureta, in the province of Zaragoza, Aragón. The building stands on the foundations of a Moorish castle tower dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, when this territory formed part of the Upper March of Al-Andalus. The stronghold was taken back from Muslim rule around 1116, and it continued to serve a defensive role in the conflicts between the kingdoms of Aragón and Navarre in the following decades. The palace owes its present form to the first Count of Bureta, Antonio Marín de Resende, who rebuilt the medieval fortress between 1670 and 1680, adding galleries, a new residential wing, and a chapel.

The estate holds a place in Spanish history through the Countess of Bureta, a heroine of the Second Siege of Zaragoza during the Napoleonic Wars of 1808–1809. She opened her home to the wounded and organized a corps of women volunteers known as "Las Amazonas," who helped defend the city, supplied the troops, and cared for the injured. During those months the palace served as both a coordination center for the defense and a makeshift hospital.

What can you see there?

Inside, visitors can admire an extensive collection of period furniture, artworks spanning several centuries, and an impressive historical archive holding more than 14,000 documents, the oldest dating back to the 12th century. The top floor opens onto a gallery with sweeping views toward the Moncayo mountain, the Ebro river valley, and the Pyrenees. Visible remnants of the original medieval defensive structure can still be seen within the building.

How do you get there?

Bureta lies roughly 57 kilometers from Zaragoza, the Aragonese capital, within the Campo de Borja district, a region known for its vineyards and Garnacha wine. The easiest way to reach the village is by car from Zaragoza or from the neighboring towns of this wine-producing area.

When should you visit?

The palace is best combined with a broader trip through the Campo de Borja wine region, pairing the visit with local wine tastings. A thorough restoration carried out between 2004 and 2008, led by the thirteenth Count of Bureta and funded entirely with family resources, brought the palace back to its former condition. Part of the building now operates as a rural guesthouse, while the whole complex remains open to visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was this building originally? A defensive tower belonging to a 9th–10th century Moorish castle, later rebuilt as a noble residence in the 18th century.

Who was the Countess of Bureta? María de la Consolación, owner of the palace, who during the Second Siege of Zaragoza (1808–1809) organized aid for the wounded and a corps of women volunteers called "Las Amazonas."

Can the palace be visited? Yes, the complex is open to visitors, and part of the building functions as a rural guesthouse offering accommodation.

What does the palace archive contain? More than 14,000 historical documents, the oldest dating from the 12th century.