Discover Muxika: Towers, Chapels and Old Roads

Culture, Architectural Heritage and Religious Testimony

The Torre de Muxika, a building erected in the 14th century by the lords of the House of Arteaga, combines the types of residential tower and rural palace in its architectural form. Its interior was used as a Renaissance palace and also features some Gothic elements. The original estate of Muxika appears to have been connected with the Abendaño line in the early 14th century. The original church of San Vicente was a Romanesque building; remains of this structure are still preserved.

The Torre’s chronology thus extends from the early 14th century, when the original estate was probably connected with the Abendaño line, to the later use of its interior as a Renaissance palace. At the same time, the architectural history preserves the distinction between residential tower and rural palace, as well as the building’s Gothic elements.

The Ermita de San Román is designed as a rectangular building made of sandstone masonry and has a pitched roof and Gothic stylistic elements. Cut sandstone blocks were used around the openings of the building. San Román was probably a small settlement in the middle reaches of the Oka River. The portal of the chapel of San Pedro and San Pablo features figures of musicians. Saint Peter, Saint Paul and warriors also appear there.

At San Román, the rectangular form of the building, the pitched roof and the stonework around the openings stand alongside one another. Its historical classification as a small settlement in the middle reaches of the Oka remains probable. The figurative representations on the portal of San Pedro and San Pablo are characterised by musicians, the two saints and warriors.

Chapels, Stations of the Cross and Old Roads

The Stations of the Cross to the chapel of San Pedro and San Pablo begins at the site of the former parish church of Ibarruri and ends at the chapel. The Ermita de San Lorenzo is the only religious building in the Maume district. It stands at an altitude of 435 metres. The Calzada de Maume in Muxika preserves a section of an old road that once connected the Basque coast with the inland areas.

The religious routes therefore identify both the former site of the parish church of Ibarruri and the destination at the chapel of San Pedro and San Pablo. In Maume, the Ermita de San Lorenzo is recorded as the district’s only religious building, situated at an altitude of 435 metres. Independently of this, the Calzada de Maume preserves its section of the old route connecting the coast and the inland areas.

Ironworks, Mills and Production

The Ferrería de Olea was one of the smaller ironworks in Muxika and stood on the banks of the Oromiño River. In the 18th century, there were a total of five ironworks among the three anteiglesias. Of these five, the Ferrería de Olea is the only one whose structural remains have survived. These surviving elements include the water intake and the tailrace.

The Olabarri mill in Zugaztieta-Muxika is one of the mills that are still in operation today in Busturialdea and the surrounding area. Sheep’s cheese is produced and sold at the Goikoetxe farmhouse.

Agricultural Structures and Nature

The Unda district of Muxika is home to medieval farmhouses. The Encina de Urkieta is a protected, exceptional tree; its crown spans approximately 26 metres.

More Destinations

More destinations on the portal that you can also discover: Fruiz, Sopelana, Gernika, Arakaldo, Ortuella, Loiu, Ibarrangelu, Elexalde

To the higher-level travel overview: Bizkaia.