Elorrio: Medieval Culture and Routes

In 1964, Elorrio became the first place in Vizcaya, Spain, to be declared a Site of Cultural Interest. The town brings together preserved medieval structures, religious buildings, a historic craft heritage, and routes through its neighbourhoods.

Culture and History

The Don Tello Gate is the only surviving entrance of the seven gates in Elorrio’s former town wall. The historic route through Elorrio traces the town’s foundation in 1356 by Don Tello, Lord of Bizkaia. It reveals the medieval layout of the house blocks, still preserved today, around the two parallel streets Calle del Campo and Calle del Río.

The historic route therefore connects the town’s founding history with a still legible urban layout: those who follow it encounter not only a date, but also the arrangement that has been preserved around the two parallel streets.

In the medieval town of Elorrio, ironworking by ironworkers and blacksmiths was the most socially, economically and politically significant craft. It later developed into an iron industry whose products were exported throughout the Iberian Peninsula, Europe and even to America.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located on Gernikako-Arbola Square in the centre of Elorrio’s old town. The Gothic building with Renaissance elements was completed in the 16th century and is almost 50 metres long and 25 metres wide. The Santa Ana Convent in the old town houses a statue of Saint Valentine and a museum.

Elorrio preserves nine wayside crosses dating from the 16th century. The Kurutziaga Cross is Late Gothic, while the other wayside crosses reflect different phases of the Renaissance.

History in the Landscape

The Argiñeta necropolis in Elorrio comprises around twenty sarcophagi dating from the 7th to the 9th century, as well as five grave stelae with astral iconography. It is located in the Zenita neighbourhood on the outskirts of Elorrio, among old oak trees beside the San Adrián hermitage.

Naturbideak is a network of paths through Elorrio’s neighbourhoods that showcases the area’s natural, cultural and landscape diversity. The Fuente de Berriozabaleta consists of a fountain and a washhouse on a semicircular terrace overlooking the Urkiola mountains.

Cycling and Walking Routes

The Vía Verde del Tren runs along almost the entire former railway line of the Durango–Elorrio route on the Elorrio–Apatamonasterio section and connects to the Vía Verde de Arrazola. The former railway track of the Vía Verde del Tren is used as a footpath and cycle path.

On the Vía Verde, the former railway line remains recognisable in its route, while its current use as a footpath and cycle path defines the section between Elorrio and Apatamonasterio; the connection to Arrazola extends this historic route.

The audio guide for Elorrio is available in Basque, Spanish, French, English and Catalan.

Discover More Places

Discover more destinations at Ermua, Orduña, Mallabia, Lezama, Butroi, Larrabetzu, Loiu and Bilbao.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bizkaia.