Aizarna: Trails, Chapel and History

The PR-Gi 40 Aizarna–Santa Engracia route connects the historic centre of Aizarna with the Santa Engrazia Chapel. The Zestoa–Aizarna walking trail follows an old paved road and connects Aizarna, as the original settlement, with Zestoa. This places both the connection to the chapel and the historic route between Aizarna and Zestoa at the centre of the area.

Trails and Points of Interest

Polje de Aizarna lies along the PR-Gi 40 Aizarna–Santa Engracia route and is a point of interest there. Santo Cristo de Aizarna is also located along this route and is another point of interest. The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Aizarna is likewise situated on the PR-Gi 40 Aizarna–Santa Engracia route. The three stops complement the route with named places within Aizarna, without the route being limited to the Santa Engrazia Chapel.

History

The earliest domestic use of Aizarna is dated to the period between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, based on structural elements found near the parish church and dated to this period. In the Late Middle Ages, Aizarna was profoundly transformed by the construction of numerous farmhouses; many of these farmhouses have largely been preserved to this day. The first early medieval agricultural field identified in Gipuzkoa was also found in Aizarna. In 1688, the carving of the statue of the Virgin Mary for the high altar of the parish church of Santa María de la Asunción in Aizarna (Gipuzkoa) was commissioned. Thus, Aizarna brings together early settlement traces, medieval development through farmhouses and a specifically dated ecclesiastical work of art.

Other Places

Other places to discover include Orio, Astigarraga, Segura, Elgeta, Villabona, Elgoibar, Zestoa and Lasarte-Oria.

Landscape

The Santa Engrazia Chapel stands in Aizarna, in the Urola Valley of Zestoa, on a 507-metre-high hill. From this hill, there are views over Aizarna, Hernio, Izarraitz, Pagoeta and the sea. Pagoeta, a mountain, lies in the immediate surroundings of Aizarna. The elevation of 507 metres refers directly to the location of the Santa Engrazia Chapel. The site therefore combines the chapel’s precise elevation with a panorama encompassing Aizarna, several named landscapes and the sea.

Culture and Surroundings

Museo Fotógrafico, a museum, is located in the surroundings of Aizarna. Palacio de Narros is also nearby and is a castle. Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa is likewise located in the surroundings of Aizarna. Zarautz Beach, Playa de Malkorbe Hondartza and Playa de Gaztetape are also in the surroundings of Aizarna, each being a beach. The ruins of Cargadero de hierro de Malla Harria are also located in the surroundings of Aizarna. In this way, the immediate surroundings include not only cultural sites but also beaches and the aforementioned ruins.

To the main travel overview: Gipuzkoa.