Palacio de Narros

Palacio de Narros | Wikicommons. Autor: Azloriño

A palace surrounded by English gardens

The palace, built in the 16th century, attracted Queen Isabel II of Spain for extended summer stays, transforming Zarauz into a prominent tourist destination in the Cantabrian Sea. The election of the queen prompted The aristocracy and high society personalities were encouraged to follow their example and spend their summers there, including figures such as the Marquis of Narros, Pascual Madoz, and Queen María Cristina of Habsburg-Lorraine and King Alfonso XIII. Over time, this trend spread other distinguished visitors, such as the Duchess of Alba, the Duke of Infantado, as well as like Baudouin of Belgium and his wife Fabiola. & nbsp;

The palace is not free of myths. According to a legend from 1572, an English shipwrecked man, fleeing the massacre of Huguenots on St. Bartholomew's Night, arrived to the beach of Zarauz and was welcomed in the palace by the Marquises of Narros. They assigned him the blue room, one of the brightest rooms. Despite receiving care, the Huguenot's health deteriorated, and he died one night after rejecting Catholic rites and accusing his hosts of poisoning.

It is rumored that his tormented spirit still haunts the blue room every August 24, coinciding with the anniversary of the San Bartolome massacre, manifesting itself through s of movements in the portraits and ghostly sounds. The Jesuit Father Luis Coloma, who frequented the palace in summer, immortalized This story in his story "The Blue Room", published in 1912.

The palace is wrapped in a charming English-style garden. Since January 17, 1964, the place received the distinction of Historical-Artistic Monument. Currently, the palace is a private residence, so public access is not allowed inside. However, the ARAZI company offers guided tours in which it tells the history of this iconic building, as part of its efforts to disseminate the monumental heritage of Zarautz.

Schedules

From February to June / September to December: 

• 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:00: Friday and Saturday

• 16:00-18:00: Sundays and holidays

June, July and August: 

• 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:00: Tuesday to Saturday
• 16:00-18:00: Sundays and holidays