!!! Welcome to the monumental complex of the palace and tower of the Orgaz in Fontecha, Araba-Álava.

On this visit we will learn first-hand the history of the complex, as well as the family that built it. But we are also going to appreciate the work that the Micaela Portilla school has developed since its foundation in 1998 in the process of restoration and recovery of the monument, through its courses and workshops on Historic Masonry, Armar Carpentry and Canteria. The learning has a practical approach, and the restoration work on the Tower is the work of the students, under the direction of the Historical-Architectural Heritage Service of the Provincial Council of Álava.

The tour that we are going to take will allow us to see a work that starts from the union of numerous specialists and institutions: architects, archaeologists, restorers, teachers and students from the school. All of them under the coordination of the Provincial Council of Álava and the Cuadrilla de Añana, which have made it possible for the Fontecha tower to be conserved and to recover its former splendor, while allowing us to value our history and our heritage.

The Orgaz tower belonged to the Hurtado de Mendoza, a family originally from the Alavés de Mendoza people. At a time characterized by power struggles in the different peninsular Coronas, the Hurtado de Mendoza supported one of the families that best knew how to position themselves in these power games: the Trastamara. They ruled Castile from the middle of the fourteenth century to the beginning of the sixteenth, and being on their side allowed the Hurtado de Mendoza to rise significantly.

The Tower was built at the end of the 14th century in very well carved ashlar stone. Its dimensions are majestic with a plant of 17 x 13 m and a height of 28 m. It is topped by a crenellated cantilever, supported by triple-curved modillions. Defensive loopholes and mullioned windows open on all its facades.

In 1379, with Juan Hurtado de Mendoza at the head, they increased their dominions with several villas. Among which was Fontecha, granted by King Juan I. From that moment on, the lineage will maintain an important weight in political and social life, dominating large areas of the current Alava territory with its properties.

In the XVl century the complex lost its defensive character and was transformed for residential use. The Palace is located to the west of the Tower, where it has its main access. The main entrance to the palace is topped by an ogee arch where two shields are displayed, with the arms of the Hurtado de Mendoza and another with that of the Guzmán and the Toledos.

At the end of the 19th century and after a time of abandonment, the complex was used as a rural house: a hamlet and by the middle of the 20th century, it was left uninhabited, until in January 1999 the Workshop School began the rehabilitation of the Tower complex. and Palace of the Orgaz.