Quejana connects the history of the House of Ayala with a striking architectural ensemble and a landscape at the foot of the Sierra Salvada. The palace, museum and Torreón-Capilla reveal different aspects of this heritage: a palace building, a collection on the family’s history, and a chapel building with works of art and tombs. One useful distinction when planning your visit concerns the Relicario de la Virgen del Cabello: it is associated with Quejana but is now on display in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The Palace and Its Historical Significance
The Palacio de los Ayala has a square floor plan, corner towers and a large central courtyard. The courtyard lies at the center of the building, while the towers mark its corners. Together, the floor plan and architectural features give the palace a clearly defined form. The Conjunto Monumental de Quejana is considered the center of the SeñorÃo de Ayala. Historically, Quejana was also a strategic crossing point between trade routes that ran from the inland areas to the coast. Its significance is therefore evident on two levels: in the position of the monumental complex within the SeñorÃo and in Quejana’s role along historic trade connections. In 2002, the Conjunto Monumental was designated a cultural asset for its historical and artistic value.
Museum, Tombs and Works of Art
The Quejana Museum documents the history of the House of Ayala within a medieval complex. Its collection is housed in a wing of the original palace. Among the works of art on display are pieces that were preserved in the monastery of San Juan Bautista for more than 600 years. These include alabaster tombs bearing effigies of Pedro López de Ayala, his wife and his parents. The collection thus brings together the history of the house and works that were associated with the monastery for a long time.
The Torreón-Capilla de la Virgen del Cabello also preserves evidence of the history of the lords of Ayala. Their tombs are located on its ground floor. The chapel also houses a copy of a 14th-century Gothic altarpiece. The museum collection and the chapel offer different insights: one focuses on the preserved works of art and family effigies, while the other features the tombs of the lords of Ayala and the copy of the altarpiece.
The Relicario: Creation and Current Location
The Relicario de la Virgen del Cabello is a French goldsmith’s work made of gilded silver, enamel and rock crystal. It was created between 1331 and 1340 in a workshop in Avignon. It has been associated with Quejana since the Dominican convent was founded there in 1378; its creation therefore predates the convent’s foundation. Today, the Relicario is on display at the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Before your trip, check whether it is still on display there.
Landscape and Getting There
The Quejana-Kexaa monumental complex lies at the foot of the Sierra Salvada, amid pastures and wooded areas. The landscape offers a different perspective from the palace and museum: it places the complex within a setting of open pastures and woodland. From Vitoria-Gasteiz, the route by road follows the N-622 and A-624. From Bilbao, the recommended route follows the AP-68 and A-625. Check road conditions and your navigation before setting off. This allows you to plan your journey based on your starting point, while Quejana’s historic trade routes describe an earlier, distinct aspect of its significance.
Discover more destinations: Menagaray, Gurendes, Moreta, Lapuebla Labarka, Murga, Lasarte, Izarra, Rivabellosa.
For the broader travel overview: Alava.
