Discover the history behind the Lordship of Eriete
The Señorío de Eriete, surrounded by vineyards, is home to a 16th century Renaissance palace and a church dedicated to San Adrián, both in abandonment. The palace preserves Castilian architectural details, and the church, built in the 19th century, includes a Gothic sculpture of the Virgin, reflecting its valuable heritage.
The history of a heritage
Señorío de Eriete is a historic property surrounded by vineyards that frame two emblematic buildings: a church dedicated to San Adrián and a Renaissance palace. The original construction seems to have medieval roots and was renovated in the Baroque period, a style that can be seen in the current roofs. Today, the complex is in a state of abandonment, but retains its historical value. The Señorío de Eriete is classified as a manor, a common legal category in the Etxauri region. Such estates abound in nearby towns such as Guenduláin and Elío, reflecting the historical relevance of these territories.
Eriete Palace (16th century)
The Eriete Palace, built in the 16th century, is a clear example of the Renaissance architecture of the time and was classified as an Armory Cape. Originally, the building had a square floor plan with towers at each corner, although today only two of them remain. Over the years, the palace was adapted as a dwelling, which modified its original structure. The current structure of the palace has a horizontal façade of three sections between two square towers. The base is built in ashlar, and the upper part in brick, a change that reflects the southern architectural influence brought by the Castilian conquest. Its semicircular arch in light stone stands out, with long, narrow voussoirs bearing a carved coat of arms in the central part. This shield shows the coat of arms of the palace and its lineage. Among the ruins of the manor are the remains of a medieval mill and an ancient dam known as the ‘dam of the Vessolla house’.
The coat of arms of the Palacio de Eriete is a distinctive quartered coat of arms with historical details. Carved in three central voussoirs of the main arch, it features typical elements of heraldry such as twisted hides and a decorative helmet. The symbols represented in the field of the shield show the arms associated with the lineage of the Lordship of Eriete, underlining its noble relevance and family legacy. This coat of arms carved in stone is not only a decorative emblem, but also reflects the identity and history of the property.
St. Adrian's Church (19th century): The Evolution of a Medieval Temple
The Church of San Adrián was built at the end of the 19th century, replacing an old Romanesque church that stood on the site of the cemetery. Although it retains medieval elements, the present church has baroque interventions that enhance its historic character. This rural stone building has a single nave and a square tower attached to the wall of the epistle. Its access is located on the south wall and protected by a stone portico. The church houses a Gothic sculpture of the Virgin and Child, dating from the 14th century and of French influence. In the presbytery there is a 16th century Romanesque altarpiece, polychromed in the 19th century, accompanied by a tabernacle from the same period. On the Gospel side, there is a proto-baroque altarpiece from the first half of the 17th century, which was restored in 1852.