Quejana – Culture around the House of Ayala

Quejana combines a significant medieval heritage with a landscape at the foot of the Sierra Salvada. When planning a stay, the Quejana-Kexaa monumental complex, its buildings and the history of the House of Ayala provide a clear cultural focus. You can also plan your journey using the road connections from Vitoria-Gasteiz or Bilbao.

Landscape at the foot of the Sierra Salvada

The Quejana-Kexaa monumental complex lies at the foot of the Sierra Salvada, among pastures and wooded areas. This setting adds a rural landscape perspective to the site's historic character. If you choose a hotel based on your interests in architecture, art and history, Quejana is primarily a destination whose distinct character is shaped by the complex and its connection to the House of Ayala.

A historic centre of the House of Ayala

The Conjunto Monumental de Quejana is considered the centre of the Señorío de Ayala. Quejana was also a strategic transit point on trade routes leading from the interior to the coast. This historic role sets the place apart as a cultural and historical destination rather than simply a collection of individual buildings. In 2002, the monumental complex was designated a cultural heritage property for its historical and artistic value.

Palace, chapel and museum

The Palacio de los Ayala has a square floor plan, corner towers and a large central courtyard. The combination of a clear layout, towers and courtyard offers a tangible way to explore the palace's architecture: you can consider its exterior form and centrally arranged space as distinct elements of the building. The Torreón-Capilla de la Virgen del Cabello also preserves evidence of the history of the House of Ayala. The tombs of the Lords of Ayala are located on the ground floor; the chapel also houses a copy of a 14th-century Gothic altarpiece.

The Quejana Museum documents the history of the House of Ayala within the medieval complex. Its collection is housed in one wing of the original palace. The artworks on display include alabaster tombs bearing effigies of Pedro López de Ayala, his wife and his parents. The works were kept at the Monastery of San Juan Bautista for more than 600 years. The museum therefore highlights both the history of the house and the long preservation of the artworks.

The reliquary and its local history

The Relicario de la Virgen del Cabello is a French goldsmith's work made of gilded silver, enamel and rock crystal. It was crafted between 1331 and 1340 in a workshop in Avignon. The reliquary has been associated with Quejana since the Dominican convent was founded in 1378. Today it is displayed at the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro in Vitoria-Gasteiz. If you include it in your travel plans, check its current exhibition location in advance, as museum collections can change.

Plan your journey and hotel choice

From Vitoria-Gasteiz, Quejana can be reached via the N-622 and A-624. From Bilbao, the recommended route is via the AP-68 and A-625. The two directions differ according to the starting city and sequence of roads. When planning, first decide where you will be travelling from, then check road conditions and navigation before setting off.

When looking for a hotel, you can use the historical focus of your stay and your route as a guide. The palace, chapel and museum offer different ways to explore the history of the House of Ayala; the reliquary adds another perspective through its connection to Quejana and its current display location in Vitoria-Gasteiz. This lets you choose Quejana as a destination based on the topics that interest you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Menagaray, Pobes, Hueto Arriba, Maturana, Zambrana, Araia, Legutio, Amurrio.

Go to the main travel overview: Alava.