Elexalde: Churches, Architecture and URI07
Accommodation in Elexalde
Elexalde brings together medieval religious architecture and the clearly structured forms of Fundación Elorduy. The URI07 route, which runs through part of the local area, adds to the picture. Churches and architecture thus sit alongside a specific route through Elexalde. You can find more landscape and history topics in the municipality of Barrika.
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Photo: Ander (Tagzania user ID: 23073) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Medieval Churches
The church of Andra Maria, also known as Santa María de Barrika, is located in Elexalde. Its oldest surviving remains date from the 12th century and are Romanesque in style. The parish church of Santa María in Elexalde is documented as early as the 11th century; its Romanesque apse window dates from the first half of the 12th century at the earliest. This brings together an early written reference and surviving Romanesque architectural features from the 12th century.
The Architecture of Fundación Elorduy
Fundación Elorduy in Elexalde was built in 1914 in the Eclectic style. The building consists of two side wings and a central section with an exterior staircase and a segmental-arched portal. A segmental arch is flatter than a semicircle, giving the portal a distinctive shape in the central section. The garden of Fundación Elorduy contains a marble group created by Higinio Basterra.
Along the URI07 Route
The URI07 route in Barrika approaches Elexalde along a footpath separated from the road, which leads as far as Jonakone. It also runs through part of Elexalde and passes El Golfo. Two points are particularly useful for orientation: Jonakone marks the end of the separated footpath, and the route passes El Golfo. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Barrika: Geology and Coastline
In the municipality of Barrika, numerous types of folds can be observed on the cliffs between Meñakotz and Muriola: large-radius folds, faulted folds, angular folds, chevron folds with zigzag patterns, and recumbent folds. The tectonic complexity of these folded formations is unique in Bizkaia. The hanging dunes of Muriola also tell a story of the Earth’s history: they bear witness to successive climate changes.
Playa de Muriola in Barrika lies in a small, east-facing cove sheltered by cliffs. It can be reached from the car park via a path and is considered a suitable place for diving. Check current access conditions before visiting. The cove, cliffs and diving are distinct aspects of a possible beach visit.
Historical Traces in the Municipality
Several stretches of wall from a trapezoidal structure survive at Fortín de Barrika. The rubble-stone walls are about 80 centimetres wide and no more than half a metre high; the remains are in poor condition. The Ermita de San Telmo was founded in 1733 by Gabriel de Azcorra on the grounds of Casa de Arambalza. The flint workshop at the Kurtzio archaeological site is also located in the Arenas de Barrika area.
When choosing a holiday rental, you can use the mix of topics you want to explore as a guide. If you would like to focus on Elexalde’s churches and the architecture of Fundación Elorduy, search specifically for accommodation in Elexalde. If you would also like to explore the coast, geology and other historical topics, include the municipality of Barrika in your choice of location.
Discover more destinations: Erandio, Mendieta, Ziortza-Bolibar, Altamira-San Kristobal, Murueta, Zelaia, Muxika, Izartza.
See the broader travel guide: Bizkaia.
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