Palacio Lili

About the museum

The Palacio Lili is a complex of medieval origin in the Zestoa valley. According to Turismo Euskadi, its origins go back to the 16th century: it began as a small tower house and became a palace after the clashes between the Oñacinos and the Gamboínos. Its ashlar stone façade is considered one of the best examples of medieval palatial architecture in the territory, and the complex also includes the Errotatxo and Errotazar mills and the remains of two former ironworks.

After a long period of decline, the palace was badly damaged during the French occupation of 1793. One part was rebuilt to turn it into a farmhouse, while the rear section remained almost in ruins. From the 18th century it was used as a farmhouse, with numerous alterations, but lack of maintenance left it on the verge of collapse.

In 2000 the last tenants left the building, and Zestoa town council took over its ownership to prevent its disappearance. Restoration and management then passed to the Fundación Ekain, and today the palace is visited through a theatrical experience. The furniture comes from the deposit of the Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa and from the San Telmo museum.

Today it is visited with the play “El honor de Lili”, a dramatised monologue in which Andre Madalen, the last inhabitant of the Lili lineage, transports the audience to the year 1678 and presents real characters and settings.

Highlights

• Theatrical visit “El honor de Lili”, set in 1678
• Ashlar stone façade of a medieval palace
• Furniture from the deposit of the Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
• Walk on foot from Zestoa to the palace
• Entry combinable with Ekainberri

Permanent exhibition

• Visita teatralizada «El honor de Lili» – Dramatised monologue in the furnished palace, set in 1678, in which the last inhabitant of the Lili lineage receives visitors. It lasts 40 minutes.

Operated by

Ekain Fundazioa

Admission & discounts

Tickets, including those bought online, must be collected from the Ekainberri ticket office (Calle Portale, 1, Zestoa) at least 30 minutes before the session; the ticket is a coin.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Historic building, not adapted. People with reduced mobility should check when booking so that the experience can be adapted, and they may request access by vehicle (limited spaces).

Kids & families

Children under 6 enter free (maximum 2 per adult), and minors must always be accompanied.

Getting there & parking

The palace is 4 km from junction 48 of the AP-8 motorway. Cars cannot reach the palace itself: it is about a 10-minute walk from the ticket office, so comfortable footwear is recommended. People with reduced mobility can request access by vehicle.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit