Maestu: Churches, Bridges and Historical Traces

Culture and Townscape

The parish church of the Invention of the Holy Cross in Maestu was originally a rectangular building from the late 15th or 16th century. At the end of the 18th century, it was extended by the addition of two chapels to form a church with a Latin cross plan. Thus, two clearly distinct phases of development can be identified in this building: the older rectangular origin and the later expansion into a cross-shaped structure. The church complex includes the mechanical figure “Papamoscas”, which waves its hand when the hour strikes. The Palacio de los Samaniego is a 17th- or 18th-century building made of ashlar masonry; iron balconies, a carved roof eave and a large coat of arms are part of its design. At the Fuente de los Ocho Caños stands an octagonal, dressed-stone surround, built in 1865 and enclosed by a gate with doors. Maeztu is home to the Puente de San Juan from 1772, the Puente del Molino from 1802 and the Puente Ferrería.

Other places include: Lapuebla Labarka, Zambrana, Araia, Murgia, Urizaharra, Alaiza, Gurendes and Izarra.

History and Tradition

The former station of the Vía del Ferrocarril Vasco-Navarro in Maeztu has been restored and now houses the Arraia-Maeztu Town Hall. On the slopes of Monte Arburu in Gesal are the remains of the former ironworks, including its dam and arches. The historical remains in Gesal also include a grain mill dating from 1561. According to local tradition, a pilgrimage to the cross takes place on the first Saturday in May. During this pilgrimage, unmarried women embroider a cloth with the symbols of the Passion; the oldest person in the village hangs it on the cross. The stone cross was erected in 1987 and replaced an earlier wooden cross mentioned in documents from 1863.

Nature and Surroundings

The Parque Local de Zumalde is located on a wooded bank of the River Ega and offers barbecue areas, tables, a children’s playground, a swimming pool, changing rooms, hot-water showers, as well as football, basketball and tennis facilities. The Abitigarra summit is located in the immediate vicinity of Maestu. Mount Codés is located in the vicinity of Maestu. The Peñas de Ulibarri summit is located in the wider surrounding region of Maestu. The Balcon De La Rioja is a viewpoint in the wider surrounding region of Maestu.

Museums

The Museo del Aceite de Oliva is a museum in the wider surrounding region of Maestu. The Artium Museum is a museum in the wider surrounding region of Maestu. The Museo Provincial de Álava is a museum in the wider surrounding region of Maestu. The Museo de Arqueología de Álava is a museum in the wider surrounding region of Maestu.

To the overarching travel overview: Alava.