Discover Ermua: Culture, Trails and Holiday Apartments

Landscape and Trails

The landscape of Ermua is characterised by rugged terrain with impressive valleys enclosed between steep slopes. The PR-BI 70 is a hiking route designed as a circular trail. It begins and ends at the park in the Okin Zuri neighbourhood. In sections, the route runs along the river beside the old Camino Real.

The historic Camino Real connected Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. Ermua also lay on a pilgrimage route of the Way of Saint James that followed the coast from Irún to Itziar. The historical route connections therefore include both the old road between Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa and the former coastal route of the Way of Saint James, with its two aforementioned endpoints.

Those who follow the PR-BI 70 encounter a trail setting in which the present-day circular route is connected in sections with the historic Camino Real. The park in the Okin Zuri neighbourhood serves as the named starting and finishing point of the route. Thus, rugged valleys, steep slopes, a river course and the memory of former connections between the two provinces stand side by side in a confined area.

Other destinations on the same level are Portugalete, Gautegiz Arteaga, Güeñes, Areatza, Abadiño, Zierbena, Morga and Basauri.

Culture

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol was built in the 16th century. In 1602, it was extended and rebuilt. It is a single-nave church flanked by chapels. Its main altar is an impressive, unpainted Baroque work made of walnut wood, featuring richly ornamented Solomonic columns.

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol therefore reveals several historical and design layers in a single building: its origins in the 16th century, its extension and rebuilding in 1602, and its single-nave interior with side chapels. The main altar provides a distinctive focal point through its unpainted walnut wood, Baroque structure and ornamented Solomonic columns.

The Palacio Marqués de Valdespina was built in the first half of the 18th century, close to the first quarter of that century. It is considered one of the most important Baroque buildings in the Basque Country.

The Palacio Lobiano is a Renaissance building from the 16th century. This building houses the Casa de Cultura of Ermua, with an exhibition space, an auditorium, and rooms for painting, theatre and dance. These spaces therefore comprise exhibition, event and creative areas within the Casa de Cultura.

The Palacio Lobiano thus brings Renaissance architecture and contemporary cultural offerings together in the same building. The exhibition space, auditorium, and rooms for painting, theatre and dance represent different forms of cultural use without altering the building’s historic character as a Renaissance structure from the 16th century.

Festivals

The patron-saint festivals in honour of Saint James take place from 24 to 27 July. The associated programme of events begins on 14 July. The defining features of the Santiagos in Ermua include a wide range of activities, public participation and colourful txarangas.

The chronology of the Santiagos thus extends from the start of the programme of events on 14 July to the patron-saint festivals from the 24th. The wide range of activities, public participation and colourful txarangas are part of the festivities that shape this period.

The Feria de San Martín takes place on the Saturday closest to the feast of Saint Martin.

To the overarching travel overview: Bizkaia.