Route 4:

TO LOIOLA

Itinerary
DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN - TOLOSA - BIDEGOIAN - ERREZIL - AZPEITIA - LOIOLA.

The popular "Urola Railway", now obsolete, that used to link Zumaia with Zumarraga.

Driving along the N-1 towards Tolosa, and on the way out of the town, in Benta-Aundi district is the intersection with the C-6324. Taking this road, on the way up to Bidania mountain pass, on the right there is a picturesque valley, where the farmsteads belonging to the village of Albistur are located. Benta de Santutxo is approximately 2 Km away. A crossroads. You can reach Azpeitia by following the Beizama, Nuarbe and Urrestilla route along the C-1060, which passes through countryside of exceptional beauty. Passing Bidania height, the visitor comes across Bidegoian, one of the most picturesque valleys in Gipuzkoa. Sheltered from the northly winds, and protected by Mount Ernio, this township is made up of two lovely and interesting villages: Bidania and Goiatz. The calm of these places is an invitation to visit San Bartolomé parish church in Bidania, or the "Asunción de Nuestra Señora" parish church in Goiatz, and to enjoy the peacefulness of this privileged valley.

Set on a hill, with views over the heart of Bidania, and surrounded by magnificent trees, Iriarte Palace is worthy of mention. Characteristic farmsteads, with their attractive architecture, can be found around the valley. Among them, we can point out Usarraga-Zar (for many years the "Juntas Particulares" of Gipuzkoa (special assemblies) were held in the field of Usarraga, next to the farmstead; Bereziaga located on a hillock between the valleys of Bidegoian and Albistur (one of the still inhabited farmshouse is set on the highest point in Gipuzkoa); Elola in Elola area, with its small hermi- tage; Arrate-Saletxe, Goienetxe, Gaztañondo, etc...

We recommend a mountain trip to Mount Ernio summit (1,072 m) along Zelatun mountain pass.

From Bidegoian it is possible to making an alternative trip following the C-1050 through Goiatz, Urraki height and Elosiaga district to Azpeitia. This route goes along a picturesque road, and affords breathtaking views over the Errezil Valley and Ernio massif.

Driving along the C-6324, towards Bidania height, the traveller finds himself before the ineffable Errezil Valley, in a spot known as "Balcony of Gipuzkoa", a splendid vantage point. In the middle of the valley is Errezil; at the far side, Azpeitia and Izarraitz massif.

A peaceful valley dotted with many white farmsteads on both sides, and which make up the districts of Ibarbia, Letea and Artzailutz. A few kilometres further down a sinous, meandering road, and the visitor arrives in...

Errezil by night.

ERREZIL. A Town Hall, an indoor pelota court, a square with a ground for stone dragging trials, "San Martín de Tours" parish church, and the quaint little Hermitages of San Esteban, San Miguel Goikoa, San Miguel Bekoa, and San Antonio scattered around the valley.

From here you can climb up to Ernio summit, where a well-attended open-air dance is held in September, on San Juan Txiki's Day.

The circular hermitage of San Isidro, Erdoizta.

Driving down the road, in Bentaberri, is the crossing of the road that in less than 10 Km leads the visitor to Erdoizta district, still in Errezil. The odd, round shape Hermitage of San Isidro, (the only one of its kind in the Basque Country) is interesting to note. A deserted school, and three or four farmsteads make up the centre of this remote district perched on the spurs of Ernio massif, facing the steep drop of Altzolaras.

5 Km away from Bentaberri, driving through the industrial district of Landeta, we arrive in...

AZPEITIA. Located at the foot of Mount Erlo (1,026 m), on the fertile Urola plain, it has important furniture factories.

Izarraitz massif in the background, Azpeitia.

This is one of the largest towns in Gipuzkoa, and is made up of many village settlements spread out in the surrounding valleys. Aratzerreka, Elosiaga, Nuarbe, Aratz-Matxinbenta, Urrestilla and Oñaz are particularly beautiful.

Mount Arauntza, with its back to the town, is an exceptional vantage point from which a wonderful panoramic view over the whole valley, including Azpeitia, Loiola and Azkoitia can be admired.

The old town centre with its square, "San Sebastián de Soreasu" parish church, the Franciscans convent near the fortified house of Enparan, Etxe-Zar or Basozabal House, Altuna House, Zuazola Palace, etc. is worth a visit.

Opposite the parish church is Antxieta House, built in Mudéjar style.

Just before it joins the River Urola, the River Ibaieder flows under the interesting Amube Bridge.

On the way to the Shrine of Liola, on the right side is the unusual "Nuestra Señora de Olatz" hermitage, where the Assemblies of Gipuzkoa used to meet. I

In Azpeitia there are sports facilities, a swimming pool, a pelota court, and a bullring.

Between the towns of Azpeitia and Azkoitia is the already mentioned...

Aerial view of the Shrine of Loiola.

SHRINE OF LOIOLA. Next to the Shrine are the Fortified House of Loiola, the birth place of St. Ignatius of Loiola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, and Errekarte farmhouse, the birthplace of brother Garate, another illustrious Jesuit.

The shrine was designed by the Italian architect Carlo Fontana, at the end of the XVII century. A place of worship and pilgrimage, he retained the holy house, where St. Ignatius was born, inside the building, on the right side of the church. The enclosing walls of the house are not the original ones, because they were rebuilt with brick over the preexisting masonry.

As for the architectural ensemble, of special interest is the church with a circular ground-plan and protruding portico, which is joined to the large square by a huge flight of steps; the square has recently been restored together with the church.

The sober façades contrast with the magnitude of the portico, which gives access to the church, and also with the already mentioned steps. The portico is composed of three semicircular arches abutted against a compound order decorated in a "Churrigueresque"-Baroque style.

The above mentioned church, with its circular ground-plan, has an ambulatory covered with a groin vault, and the dome is supported by eight pilasters joined by semicircular arches; the decoration of the central space is also Baroque.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the sculptures on the way into the saint's house. One of them is made of bronze, and depicts St. Ignatius wounded in Pamplona. Next to it, there is a stone fountain, which shows him dressed as a soldier.