Amezketa

Highly valuable intangible and natural heritage

Gateway to the glacial valley

Amezketa perfectly sums up a great part of Tolosaldea’s identity: shepherding, bertsos, mythology, Basque pelota, beliefs, mining, nature... It’s one of Aralar’s entrances, through Euskadi’s only glacial valley. Its peculiar church is one of the lasts in which the tradition of placing “argizaiolas” (boards for candles in memory of the deceased ones) on top of the graves remains.

Qué hacer Route about the bertsolari Fernando Amezketarra READ MORE

Qué ver en Amezketa

Amezketa is the gateway to the Arritzaga glacial valley, a unique alpine landscape with a fascinating mining past beneath the shadow of Txindoki. In the village, the ball game culture is alive in its iconic fronton, while spots such as the Hermitage of San Martín or the Pello Zabala Space offer a journey through Basque history and mythology.

Arritzaga: the door to Aralar

Arritzaga glacial valley in Aralar is a beautiful alpine style valley. It keeps the remains of Euskadi’s only glacial valley and of the heritage of Buruntzunzin copper mines, exploited since 1732, at an altitude of 900m. It’s a unique scenery.

San Martin chapel and recreational area

The beautiful chapel built betwen the 13th and 15th centuries on the highest part of Amezketa, next to a picnic area with tables and grills, a place to calmly enjoy the peace while looking at Txindoki mountain. A sculpture by Guillermo Olmo, made of 60 columns from farmhouses in the nearby area, symbolises a tree graveyard to remember how Aralar used to be the source of material to supply the region.

Pello Zabala space

There used to be two mills to use the hydraulic power of Aralar’s water. Only the urban area mill remains, built in the 17th century and recently renovated. Many treasures are kept on the inside.

A fronton court on the base of Txindoki mountain

Basque pelota has very strong roots in Amezketa, birthplace of famous “pelotaris”, such as Jokin Altuna, champion on different events. The walls of this outdoors fronton court, located in the square under the watchful eye of Fernando Amezketarra’s bust , has served as training ground. Next to it Larrunari fronton court and the town hall are located.

Marizulo, Mari’s cave

Cave where goddess Mari, icon of Basque mythology, used to live. The cave is located on Muitze valley, on the base of Txindoki or Larrunarri mountain. It can also be spotted from the church.

Ugarte church

Ugarte neghbourhood is just 1km from the entrance to the village. The church, vestige of the 13th century, has a Romanesque entrance and keeps another treasure inside: the statue of Our Lady of Remedios, from the same period.

The thousand and one opportunities of Aralar’s immensity

Aralar Mountain Range, with an area over 10,000 hectare divided between Gipuzkoa and Navarre, located in one of the most important mountainous areas when it comes to altitude, extension, use of the land, natural and cultural values.

Plenty of opportunities at Aralar Natural Park