Discover Maturana: Church, History and Walking Trails

Nature and Walking Trails

The surroundings of Maturana include farmland, gentle hills, wooded areas and traditional rural paths. A signposted Nordic walking route connects Gebara, Maturana and Etura. It follows rural paths, agricultural land and short stretches through woodland in the heart of Barrundia.

The route therefore passes through several landscape features without leaving the local area of Barrundia. The connection between the three places gives its course a clear spatial sequence: Gebara, Maturana and Etura lie one after another along the same signposted route. Agricultural land, rural paths and the short stretches through woodland are all equally part of the route described.

An 8.5 km walking trail leads from Maturana over the hills of Maturana towards the foothills of the Ullíbarri-Gamboa reservoir. Another walking trail leads from Maturana to Garaio and follows the old path along the reservoir. The route leads to the Garaio viewpoint. On the return journey, it follows the path through Mendixur Park.

Because of its starting point and direction, the 8.5-kilometre trail remains closely connected to Maturana. The route to Garaio, on the other hand, explicitly includes the old path along the reservoir, the viewpoint and the return through Mendixur Park. The walking trails thus take in both the hills around Maturana and the reservoir, with its named paths and Mendixur Park.

Culture and History

The Church of San Martín de Maturana is located in the centre of the village. Historically, it served as a place where families gathered. Important life events were celebrated there.

The church’s location in the centre of the village and its historical use belong together: San Martín de Maturana is associated not only with a specific place in the village, but also with community gatherings and the celebration of important life events. This former function describes the church as a place of local history without specifying its present-day use.

The place name Maturana is first documented in 1012 and appears again in the Reja de San Millán of 1025. The covered cemetery of Maturana was built using stones from the former Ermita de San Miguel. Within the province of Álava, this covered cemetery is unique.

The two years form part of the earliest written records of the place name. In the case of the cemetery, the former Ermita de San Miguel also indicates the building material used: its stones were used for the covered cemetery. The uniqueness refers specifically to the province of Álava.

The cemetery of Maturana was used as the village cemetery from 1811 onwards. Maturana’s patron saint’s festival is dedicated to Saint Martin and takes place on 11 November.

Its use from 1811 onwards provides a specific historical beginning for the cemetery. The annual patron saint’s festival brings the name of Saint Martin into the local calendar again and is dated 11 November.

Other Places

You can find other places within the same broader destination here: Arkaia, Zambrana, Añes, Leza, Villanañe, Aprikano, Izarra, Araia.

Getting There

Alegría Hermanos’ regular bus route 8 runs from Vitoria to Maturana.

Thus, in the documented connection, Maturana is named as the destination of bus route 8. The departure point, Vitoria, and the transport company, Alegría Hermanos, are equally part of this information, as is the designation as a regular bus route.

For the overview of the broader destination: Alava.