Lukiano: San Juan and La Encontrada

Lukiano combines local culture with paths through the Zuia Valley. The La Encontrada ironworks is located in the village. The La Encontrada Tower is also part of the village’s history: it is the setting of the legend “La Encontrada”, which Manuel Díaz de Arcaya immortalised in 1895. With the ironworks, the historic tower site and the preserved legend, Lukiano brings together a specific architectural heritage site, a former setting and a documented story.

Culture and history

The Sendero de La Encontrada leads to a medieval bridge. The La Encontrada Tower once stood beside this bridge. The historical trail continues at the parish church of San Juan Bautista, whose portal has a pointed arch. The vault paintings in San Juan Church are also considered notable local cultural heritage. The portal and vault paintings create different focal points within the church architecture: the form of the entrance on the outside and the design of the ceiling inside.

The cultural surroundings include several other destinations. In the wider regional area around Lukiano are the Asociación cultural Raíces de Europa Museum, the Jauregia Palacio Palace, the Palacio Escoriaza-Esquivel Palace and the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro Museum. The destinations mentioned therefore range from museums with a cultural focus to historic palaces.

Festivals

The local festivals of Lukiano take place around the summer solstice, on 24 June, Saint John’s Day. The San Juan celebrations include a traditional bonfire on 23 June and a Mass in honour of the patron saint on 24 June. Event dates and times should be checked for the latest information before attending a festival.

Nature and landscape

The oak woodland of the Zuia Valley extends as far as Lukiano. It provides a habitat for numerous forest birds as well as small amphibians and reptiles. Near Lukiano, the Baias River enters the municipality of Urkabustaiz. The oak woodland and the river form two distinct landscape features in the surroundings of the paths.

In the wider regional area around Lukiano are the Salto del Nervion waterfall, Gorbeia mountain, Oketa peak and Iturrigorri mountain. The waterfall, mountains and peak expand the range of landscapes beyond the oak woodland.

Paths around Lukiano

Lukiano is connected to Aperregi, Domaikia and Jugo by rural agricultural roads. The paths invite visitors to take walks and enjoy views of the rural landscape. The Sendero de La Encontrada begins in the centre of Lukiano, next to the parish church and the village bowling alley. On this route, the starting point, bridge and views combine local history with impressions of the landscape.

The route includes a narrow suspension bridge over the Baias River and offers views of Gorbea. The places mentioned, including Lukiano, also provide access to the Sierras de Arrato and Badaia. Conditions along the route should be checked for the latest information before setting out on a rural path or a route with a suspension bridge.

For the overarching travel overview: Alava.

More destinations

More places under the same destination:

Artziniega, Sobrón, Gopegi, Bernedo, Izarra, Laserna, Abornikano, Maestu.