Manurga: Church, Cultural Heritage and Routes to Gorbeia

Manurga is situated on a prominent hill at an altitude of 695 metres. From this location, views stretch across the Zigoitia valley to Vitoria-Gasteiz, as well as to the Montes de Vitoria in the background. Forests can be explored in the surrounding area. From Manurga, you can reach places where the rutting calls of stags can be heard in this area.

More village pages to help you plan your trip can be found at Laguardia, Viñaspre, Aprikano, El Campillar, Pinedo, Ibarguren, Navaridas and Amurrio.

Church and Art

Construction of the present parish church of San Martín began in 1520; it was not completed until the 19th century, together with the portico. The church has a Gothic structure with Baroque alterations, a cruciform floor plan and a polygonal apse made of solid masonry.

Inside the parish church is a main altarpiece in the Churrigueresque style. The Verástegui Chapel, located in the parish church, has a coat of arms on the wall and an artistically crafted grille.

The parish church of San Martín in Manurga is home to a 17th-century Cristo Expirante; this Hispano-Filipino sculpture is carved from ivory and polychromed. A cope preserved in the parish church of San Martín in Manurga was donated to the chapel of Santo Cristo de la Expiración after 1732.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Manurga, the village page provides a neutral starting point for planning your stay in the village.

History of the Village

Manurga was situated on a heavily frequented medieval route. This route connected Gipuzkoa – with Leintz Gatzaga, also known as Salinas de Léniz – and Bizkaia with Orduña via Araba/Álava, through Zigoitia and Zuia.

The tower house of the Hurtado de Mendoza family dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. The administrative authority of Manurga had the Izubarri Bridge renovated in 2018. Manurga's patronal festival is celebrated on the feast day of Saint Martin, 11 November.

The history of the village is therefore evident in different locations: along the historic route, at the tower house of the Hurtado de Mendoza family and at the Izubarri Bridge. With its patronal festival on 11 November, Manurga also has an annually fixed feast day.

Routes

The Goikobidea circular route starts and ends in Manurga and offers a walk through the village's cultural heritage. As a short, easy circular route, it passes natural features, historical remains and the ruins of traditional workplaces. Manurga is also one of the starting points for the ascent to the summit of Gorbeia.

Starting and ending in Manurga makes Goikobidea a circular route with the same village as its departure and return point. Along the route are both natural features and historical remains, as well as the ruins of traditional workplaces. The ascent to the summit of Gorbeia is also mentioned as another destination from Manurga.

Getting There

From Vitoria-Gasteiz, Manurga can be reached via the N-622 towards Bilbao, followed by the A-3608 and then the A-3610 towards Gopegi.

For the main travel overview: Alava.