Discover Antzuola: Culture, Hiking Trails and Holiday Apartments

The Mairuaren-Alarde in Antzuola began in 1881 with the figure of the Mairua. The Alarde refers to the presumed battle between the inhabitants of Antzuola and the Moors in 920 at Baldejunkera.

Culture and Festivals

The event consists of two parts: a procession through the streets forms the first, while the second is an event in the village square. In general, the Mairuaren-Alarde takes place in July on the day before the third Sunday. The brotherhood preserves a special jug called “Kofradeen pitxarra” and uses it only on this day of the festival. Thus, in addition to its historical connection, the festival includes a set programme, a specific date, and a vessel kept especially for the occasion.

The festival at the Santa Águeda hermitage is also known by the names San Lorenzo and Sallubente. It is celebrated on 5 February with the blessing of bread and seeds. The San Isidro Fair takes place in May and offers products from livestock farmers and small-scale agricultural household producers from Antzuola. Antzuola is also known for organic bread and organic cheese from “Pikunietako artzaiak E.Z.” The festival calendar therefore includes both religious traditions and agricultural products from the locality.

Buildings and History

The Church of San Juan de Uzarraga is considered one of the oldest churches in Gipuzkoa. The oldest discovered remains of the parish church of San Juan Bautista in Uzarraga date from the 13th to the 14th century.

The three crosses on Calvary date from the 18th century and are decorated with symbols of the Passion of Christ, including nails, pincers, spears, a ladder, and a crown of thorns. The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad was consecrated in 1525 by the Bishop of Tripoli. The Baroque town hall of Antzuola was designed by Miguel de Salazán, an architect from Urretxu. Kalebarren Street features examples of traditional architecture. The buildings therefore bring together medieval remains, Baroque design, and traditional houses in different parts of the locality.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

The PR-GI 98 hiking trail begins at the exit from Antzuola towards Bergara, on the access road to the district of Uzarraga (GI-3112), next to the Etxezuri farmhouse. It passes through the scattered farmhouses of Antzuola’s rural districts and offers scenic, architectural, and natural points of interest. The route therefore includes not only stretches of woodland, but also the rural districts and their buildings.

The route passes through pine, oak, and beech forests and crosses the Ogeiturri River. The Vasco-Navarro route between Antzuola and Bergara does not run alongside the road, but through mountains and forests. This path was used by travellers from Antzuola to reach Bergara or the Vasco-Navarro railway. Next to the Iturriotz farmhouse, the route of the former Ferrocarril Vascongado can be seen. The route description thus connects current landscape features with the historic use of the connection and a visible trace of the former railway line.

More Destinations

Other places at this level: Beasain, Zegama, Debabarrena, Errenteria, Oiartzun, Azpeitia, Orio, Elgeta

To the higher-level travel overview: Gipuzkoa.