Urizaharra: Cultural Heritage on the Slopes of the Sierra de Toloño

In the historic centre of Peñacerrada/Urizaharra lies an archaeological zone that was entered in 1996 into the General Inventory of Basque Cultural Heritage as a cultural asset in the Monument Complex category. The historic centre features a medieval urban fabric that can be recognised in the layout of its streets. The listing and the still discernible structure therefore form part of the townscape, which can be understood not only through individual buildings but also through the course of the streets.

Culture and History

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built in the 13th century. Its south portal is Romanesque and also dates from the 13th century. The parish church is home to a musealisation project that opened in November 2003. This building therefore brings together its medieval origins, the Romanesque design of the south portal and a musealisation project opened much later.

The Palace of the Dukes of Hijar stands on the Plaza de los Fueros. It was built in the 17th century. 6 October is observed in Peñacerrada/Urizaharra as a feast day in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary. The church, palace and feast day lead through different historical and religious references of the town: from the construction of the 13th century, through the 17th-century palace, to the stated date in today’s local calendar.

Landscape and Trails

Peñacerrada/Urizaharra lies on the slopes of the Sierra de Toloño. The Peñacerrada amber site is one of only five amber deposits discovered worldwide. These amber deposits date from the Cretaceous period. The town’s landscape setting thus combines its location on the mountain slope with a geologically distinctive site and its classification in time as dating from the Cretaceous period.

The sixth stage of the GR 1 passes through the upper Inglares Valley between dense beech forests and then reaches Peñacerrada. The sequence of valley, beech forests and town is described in this direction. The area around Peñacerrada offers numerous routes and trails for hikers, mountain bikers and cyclists. Thus, alongside the individual GR 1 stage, there are also additional trails and routes in the surrounding area for different forms of walking and cycling.

The Herrerías waterfall is located nearby. It is reached from the neighbouring municipality of Berganzo along the Inglares River. The waterfall is therefore connected with Berganzo and the course of the Inglares, while the GR 1 stage describes the upper Inglares Valley and the route to Peñacerrada.

Trails and Surroundings

Peñacerrada/Urizaharra lies on the ascent to Puerto de Herrera in the direction of Rioja. The main access road to Peñacerrada is the A-2124. From Vitoria-Gasteiz, this road leads to Peñacerrada. The A-2124 also leads there from Rioja Alavesa. From Logroño, the road likewise reaches Peñacerrada. Access is therefore described from Vitoria-Gasteiz, Rioja Alavesa and Logroño via the same road mentioned above.

You can access further town pages via Legutio, Aprikano, Manurga, Hereña, Ibarguren, Villanañe, Elburgo/Burgelu and Guereña.

To the overarching travel overview: Alava.