Tower of Villañañe, Medieval fortified tower in Valdegovía, Spain.
The Tower of Varona is a square masonry tower about 10 metres on each side, with ashlars at its corners, three floors and a four-sided tiled roof topped with battlements. The palace's two floors wrap the tower on the north and west sides, and the entrance is through the south door. A crenellated barbican, walls with arrow slits and a wide water-filled moat form the outer defence.
The tower was built during medieval times to serve as both a defensive shelter and residence for noble families when such fortified structures were common throughout the region. This type of building shaped territorial control in the Basque Country for generations.
The Varona surname traces back to Doña María Ruiz Pérez in the 7th century, and the tower has been inhabited by her direct descendants ever since. Inside, visitors can see wallpapers, a ceramics collection, and kutxak (chests) kept in the rooms.
The structure is located in a rural area of Valdegovía and is best reached by car or on foot from the nearest settlement several kilometers away. Visitors should bring weather-appropriate clothing since the surroundings can be open and windswept.
Despite its sturdy defensive construction, this tower was designed to be a home for a family, combining protection with everyday living. The placement of its few windows shows how security and the need to look outward were balanced.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,025 contributors worldwide.