The way of St James (Santiago)

We can highlight, without doubt, the Parish Church of Santa María, one of the most beautiful, original and emblematic buildings in Gipuzkoa, where we can observe the many reforms made to adapt the primitive Gothic temple to the requirements of the inhabitants of the town. The cloister, the poly-chrome facade, the masonry of the sacristy, the remains of the Gothic building, etc. make this one of the best constructions to illustrate the artistic development of holy buildings in Gipuzkoa.

Special attention should be given to the Sanctuary of Itziar, to where hundreds of people from Gipuzkoa walk up every spring to show their devotion.

We must not forget the Hospital Convent of Sasiola, an important enclave on the Route to Santiago and the second Franciscan Convent in Gipuzkoa; nor must we forget the chapels distributed throughout

the entire Deba district: Santa Catalina at Egia, San Sebastian at Elorriaga, San Nicolas at Lastur, Santa Cruz next to the Foruen Plaza, San Roke between the old quarters of Deba and Itziar, Santa Ana in the neighbourhood of Artzabal and Salbatore in the neighbourhood of Itxaspe.

Ruta de los tres templos

Three styles for three local sanctuaries: Romanesque in La Antigua, Zumarraga; Baroque in Loiola; and vanguard in Arantzazu. A circuit of art and spirituality through the Urola and Deba river valleys.

AZPEITIA, standing directly beneath the massif of Izarraitz. Well worth a visit is the parish church of San Sebastián de Soreasu, with its tall columns and, next to it, the Mudejar-style house of the local musician, Juan de Antxieta.

Also interesting and unusual is the Museo del Ferrocarril, with its ancient engines and wagons, not to mention an old station. Another good place to visit is Ingurugiro Etxea, a centre specialised in explaining the planet’s environmental problems.

Standing between the neighbouring Azpeitia and Azkoitia is the magnificent LOIOLA SANCTUARY, with its esplanade, its basilica topped with an enormous dome, and the adjacent house in which Ignatius de Loiola was born. Not to be missed. Once in AZKOITIA,

home of the Caballeritos de Azkoitia, a group of enlightened Basque noblemen, we can visit Santa María la Real and admire the lovely alterpiece. The organ played in this same church was the last one made by the famous Cavaillé Coll manufacturers.

We’ll make our next stop in ZUMARRAGA in order to visit the Romanesque sanctuary of Santa María, better known as “La Antigua”, located on a vantage point surrounded by mountains. This town is the birthplace of Miguel López de Legazpi, conqueror of the Philippines, who was born in one of the tower-houses still standing in the Artiz neighbourhood. A statue raised in his memory stands in the porticoed town square.

In URRETXU, beside Zumarraga, visit the parish church of San Martín de Tours and take a look at the statue of Iparragirre, the bard who composed “Gernikako arbola” in the square of the same name.

Making our way through the centre of LEGAZPI will bring us out at the Mirandaola forge, next to the hermitage evoking the miracle of the Holy Cross. Leaving Udana pass behind us, we will come to one of the gems of Gipuzkoa, the impressive village of OÑATI. In addition to the harmony of its Renaissance Universidad de Sancti Spiritus, according to some the best example of civil architecture in the Basque Country, the parish church of San Miguel, with its cloister standing over the river plus the several towerhouses and mansions make Oñati one of those special places that simply do not exist elsewhere.

From here we will take the GI-3591 up to ARANTZAZU. This trip is well worth the effort. Set in a splendid gorge beneath the Sierra de Aizkorri (nature reserve), this Sanctuary was constructed in honour of the Virgin seen in a hawthorn tree by a young shepherd in the 15th century. The new basilica of Arantzazu, built in the 1950s, is an impressive, futuristiclooking building.

Back in Oñati, we will head through the Deba valley (GI-632 and 627) towards BERGARA, where Generals Maroto and Espartero brought an end to the Carlist War with what is known as the “Bergara embrace”. The Plaza de San Martín accommodates the most symbolic buildings: the Baroque Town Hall, Jauregi House with its bas-relief and the Real Seminario Patriótico Bascongado, presently home of the Open University. The church of San Pedro de Ariznoa, and the unusual Agarre granary are other local places of interest.