Aralar range seen from Aldaba.
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The N-1 leads to TOLOSA, the former capital of the province, through which the River Oria, the longest one in the province of Gipuzkoa, flows.
Aralar range seen from Aldaba.
It is located at the junction of two important routes: the Pamplona route N-130 (before N-240), and the Madrid route N-1. On the slopes of the mountains surrounding the town there are numerous white farmsteads, which make up the rural districts of Tolosa. They are Aldaba on Mount Intxur or Aldabamendi, Bedaio in the spurs of the Aralar range, Montesku, Urkizu and Olarrain in the spurs of Erniozabal, Santa Lucía on Mount Uzturre, and San Blas close to the town centre.
Izaskun district, named after the town's patron saint, with "Nuestra Señora de Izaskun" hermitage, has wonderful panoramic views over the towns of Tolosa and Ibarra. Another place of interest is Mount Uzturre summit (735 m), a vantage point over the industrialized Oria Valley.
Plaza Zaharra in Tolosa on Midsummer Day. (See "Festivities")
A trip around the town centre gives us the opportunity to enjoy the impressive view of Santa María parish church, or the quietness of San Francisco church, close to the "Plaza del Triángulo", in the very centre of Tolosa. Near Navarra Bridge, over the River Oria, several monuments catch the visitor's eye. They are Santa Clara convent, next to the crossing leading to Izaskun district, Idiakez Palace, the Town Hall in the Plaza Zaharra, the arched facade of the covered market, the "Plaza de la Verdura", and so on. Coming back to the "Plaza del Triángulo", beside San Francisco church, is the recently renovated building of the Provincial Archive, with its remarkable architecture. Nearby is Castilla's Gate.
Atondo and Zabala (Aranburu) Palaces are also located in the town centre. Across the Calle Rondilla is the porticoed "Plaza de Euskal Herria".
A partial view of Alegia, with Zubizarra Bridge.
In Tolosa there is a sports centre, a football ground, municipal swimming pools, and the "Prado Grande de Igarondo", a fine park under the viaduct of Ibarra.
Less than 6 Km away, and driving along the N-1 we find Alegia. We take the detour along the C-1070 towards Orendain.
The old Zubizarra Bridge, the Town Hall, and San Juan Bautista parish church are on the other side of the River Oria. Here the road starts to wind its way up to the crossing that leads to...
Gohierri landscape. Orendain.
ORENDAIN. Until very recently, and together with the small towns of Baliarrain and Ikaztegieta, it was part of Iruerrieta municipality. Located in a magnificent spot, with excellent panoramic views over the nearby Aralar range. A country population. Interesting places for you to visit are: the "Asunción de Nuestra Señora" parish church, the nearby San Sebastián hermitage, and the Town Hall at the end of the town square, with its beautiful coat-of-arms. In just a few minutes, following the narrow road between Ibiur and Amezketa watercourses, we arrive in...
ABALTZISKETA. There are farmsteads spread among the beautiful geen meadowlands on the foothills of Aralar. "Santa Cruz de Txutxurrumendi" hermitage is a splendid vantage point. San Juan Bautista parish church is the most important building. 2 Km further along the road...
LARRAITZ District. Part of Abaltzisketa. Located at the foot of the impressive Larrunarri or Txindoki summit. (The way up to this summit is described in Aralar Route). Beside a fountain, in a leafy woodland is "Nuestra Señora de los Remedios" hermitage. The beauty of its surroundings makes this a much visited spot on public holidays. There are spacious car parks, a park with tables and chairs, bars and restaurants.
The road begins its descent. We have been driving for a few kilometres, and we arrive at a crossing that leads to Urtzuerreka, and exquisitely beautiful district of Zaldibia, where we find the fanciful San Saturnino (Saturdi) hermitage. Amazing views, and a superb perspective of the north-west face of Mount Larrunarri. At the end of the short descent is...
ZALDIBIA. Located at the bottom of the valley near the industrial towns of Ordizia and Beasain. The old country atmosphere has been preserved in spite of increasing industrialization. Santa Fe parish church with a very interesting font. The Town Hall. A bridge, and Zubiaurre farmstead.
On his journey, the traveller will be able to enjoy and delight in the magnificent natural beauty in this district of Gipuzkoa, known as Goiherri, with its quaint country villages such as Orendain, Abaltzisketa, Amezketa, Gaintza, Zaldibia, scattered here and there, all of them built in the shelter,of the superb Aralar range.
The C-1070 runs into the N-1 next to the town of...
Weekly market in the town square. Ordizia.
ORDIZIA. Very well known because of the most popular market in the province, which has been held there for a very long time. Every Wednesday, the town is transformed into a buying-selling centre for all kinds of agricultural produce and craft objects.
Almost all the interesting monumments are located in the old town centre: the "Asunción de Nuestra Señora" parish church, the Barrena and Zabala Palacial-Houses, the Town Hall, and in a corner of the market square Ibarbia Palace, with its unusual and fanciful balcony built into the corner.
In Ordizia there are two fine parks: Barrena Park located in the town centre, next to the palacial-house of the same name; and Oianguren Park, situated in a field, a recreation area with car parks, tables, etc...
Sports facilities: sports centre, swimming pools, athletics tracks, etc...
Almost continuous with Ordizia is the town of...
BEASAIN. Located in a fertile plain, Iying between the River Oria and its tributaries, the Agauntza and the Eztanda. Towards the north of the town centre there is a wonderful vantage point, which affords a wide panoramic view from its 704 m height. It is Mount Usurbe summit, crowned with a large stone cross; it is possible to drive up through the rural district of Erauskin.
Several areas belongin to Beasain, and located in the basin of the Arriaran watercourse are worth visiting. Visitors will find the following trip fascinating: Beasain, Salbatore Arriarán, Garin, Astigarreta, Mandubia height. It is possible to go up to the summit to "Nuestra Señora de Kiskitza" hermitage, which commands fine views; also to Murumendi summit, while visiting the prehistoric burial mounds of Trikuaizti and "San Gregorio Magno" hermitage. Driving down the C-560, we arrive in Salbatore district and Beasain. There are several religious monuments in the town centre: "Nuestra Señora de la Asunción" parish church, "San Martín de Loinaz" Basilica and "Nuestra Señora de Loinaz" hermitage. Among the civii buildings we find Iartza House, with remains of the old foundry and windmill. The wooden dam that supplied the foundry has recently been demolished. Nearby is Dolarea House with its boundary cross.
Beasain has an outstanding sports centre in Anzibar district, and good adjoining sports facilities.
As an end to this journey, we suggest a visit to the towns of Segura and Zegama. To arrive there, once in Idiazabal, you leave behind the N-1, and turn right off Katea district along the C-112; approximately 5 Km away is...
Santa Engracia hermitage. Segura.
SEGURA. A medieval town, formely fortified. "Nuestra Señora de la Asunción" church, the "Concepcionistas Franciscanas" convent, Santa Engracia hermitage, with its unusual bell gable, and Santa Bárbara and San Sebastián hermitages are worth visiting. Among the civil architecture we find Lardizabal Palace, nowadays the Town Hall, and the stately homes of Arrue and Guevara. A stroll through the streets, where stately homes and remains of the walls can be seen.
A few kilometres further on is...
ZEGAMA. Located at the headwaters of the River Oria, at the foot of the striking calcareous lime mass of the Aizkorri massif. Aizkorri summit, with Santa Cruz hermitage at the top, is an excellent vantage point over the Oria basin and the whole province of Gipuzkoa.
The famous "San Adrián Tunnel", in Aizkorri massif.
Zegama marks the beginning of the old road that used to join Gipuzkoa with the plains of Alava, via the unique Lizarrate pass, better known as San Adrián tunnel, because the hermitage dedicated to this saint is located inside it. Parts of the road are still well kept.
Inside San Martin parish church is General Zumalacarregui's mausoleum. Also interesting are the Town Hall opposite the square, and the lancet window in Aitamarren House, which is located at the entrance to the town.
On the mountains around Zegama is the megalithic station of Altzania, with interesting monuments such as Tartaloetxeta dolmen in Mount Saadar, Tartalo's dwelling (a gigant in Basque mythology).
This extraordinary winding road runs upward between San Pedro and Otzaurte districts, to arrive at the mountain pass of the same name (opposite Benta-Zarra is the track that leads through Beunde to the al ready mentioned famous San Adrián pass). A few kilometres away the C-112 road runs into the N-1 road at the edge of the province. Going down Etxegarate mountain pass, you arrive in Idiazabal, a country town 40 Km away from San Sebastián.
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