Gurendes: Church, Sierra de Árcena and Paths along the Omecillo

The approximately 40 cm high polychrome sculpture Virgen de la Estrella in San Miguel Church dates from the early 13th century and is located at the altar on the Gospel side.

Culture and History

The parish church of San Miguel is a masonry building with a square tower plan crowned by a lantern. Its interior has a rectangular floor plan covered by Baroque vaults. The Baroque high altar includes an Ecce Homo relief on the tabernacle door. Thus, the church building preserves the construction of the tower, the design of the interior and a specific piece of furnishings.

The El Salvador Monastery already existed in Gurendes in the 11th century. The monastery of San Salvador de Gurendes was affiliated with San Millán in 1047. A facility that was originally only a mill was equipped with a saw by Celerino Díaz de Tuesta, which was put into operation there. The historical record therefore mentions, in addition to the monastery, a change in the use of this facility and the name of the person who had the saw installed.

The Casa-torre de Gurendes dates from the early 16th century. Its left façade features numerous loopholes. The dating and the striking openings on the left side are among the recorded characteristics of this historic building.

Nature and Landscape

Gurendes is located on the right bank of the Omecillo River and in the foothills of the Sierra de Arkamo. Gurendes and Quejo lie on the southern slope of the Sierra de Árcena-Sobrón. The landscape of Gurendes and Quejo is currently characterized by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests.

The Gurendes-Quejo municipal association is connected to Valderejo Nature Park by an ecological corridor. Access to the municipal association is via the A-4331 road, which connects to the A-2622 main road. Thus, the location details refer both to the position by the river and in the foothills of the Sierras, as well as to the connection with the nature park and the two interlinked roads.

Paths and Season

The Route de la Sierra de Árcena leads through pine forests to higher areas with panoramic views over the valley. The Ruta del Río Quejo is a riverside path that follows the course of the tributary flowing into the Omecillo.

The botanical walk from Villanueva to Gurendes is a circular route of approximately 50 minutes that connects the two places. This botanical walk includes a 2.5 km path to Gurendes that runs parallel to the Omecillo. Thus, both the approximate duration of the circular route and the length of the section running parallel to the river are specified for this path.

Near the Omecillo at Gurendes, a population of Narcissus minor subsp. minor was described on the botanical walk. With a little luck, the daffodils can be observed until April or May. The flowering period is expressly limited to the stated period through April or May.

Town Structure and Access

Gurendes is divided into three areas: Barrio de Arriba, Barrio de Medio and Barrio de Abajo. These three names represent the traditional division of the village.

Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Gurendes can take the various historical and landscape impressions as an opportunity to explore their stay in this place more closely.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alava.

Other Places

Other places include: Urizaharra, Viñaspre, Arkaia, Lasarte, Murgia, Molinilla, Abornikano and Guereña.