Discover Azkoitia: Culture, Pelota and Izarraitz

Azkoitia lies in the basin of the Urola Valley, on a plain surrounded by high mountains.

The Church of Santa Maria Real is an example of Basque Gothic architecture. Santa María la Real also houses a Romantic-symphonic organ, which was created in 1898 as the final work from the Parisian organ-building workshop of Aristides Cavalle Coll.

Culture and History

The Jorge Oteiza Frontones comprise seven Pelota frontons. They symbolise the seven historical territories of Euskal Herria and are associated with different forms of Pelota.

The Palacio de Insausti is a Baroque palace built in the mid-18th century. The meetings of the group known as the “Caballeritos de Azkoitia” at the Palacio de Insausti led to initiatives to establish the Real Sociedad Bascongada de Amigos del País, which was founded in 1764.

Azkoitia was founded in 1324 under the name San Martín de Iraurgui de Azkoitia on Bedeaizar Hill, near the present-day San Martin Chapel. The Iraurgiko San Martinen Elizatxoa chapel was restored as an archaeological museum and for religious activities.

The Munoaundi hillfort and the Izarraitz dolmens are jointly considered an archaeological example that provides a look back at approximately 5,000 years of history.

The Monasterio de Santa Clara preserves valuable altarpieces by the Loiola School masters Ignacio and Francisco de Ibero. Nuestra Señora de Urrategi has been regarded as the patron saint of Azkoitia since her coronation in 1950.

The Iglesia de San Agustin de Aizpurutxo is a Neo-Renaissance church built in 1905 and houses a Baroque carving of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Jorge Oteiza’s “Batarrabi” is dedicated to the ancestors of Azkoitia and stands in front of the Torre de Balda. The Jorge Oteiza pilotalekuak form an avant-garde architectural complex that combines Oteiza’s ideas with Azkoitia’s Pelota tradition.

Nature and Hiking

The Izarraitz massif is a protected natural area extending across the municipalities of Azkoitia, Azpeitia and Zestoa and covering 1,531.5 hectares.

The Izarraitz Special Area of Conservation protects native forests, pastureland and scrubland, as well as birds, bats, native crayfish, amphibians and reptiles.

The PR GI-214 Izarraizko Bira is an officially approved and signposted 17.5-kilometre route with 870 metres of cumulative ascent.

The connection from Azkoitia to the Izarraizko Bira begins at Plaza Balda and joins the circular route near the Aitzgaña farmhouse.

Festivals and Experiences

Azkoitia’s patron saint’s festivals, Andramaixek, take place around 15 August and last approximately five days.

The San Andrés fair on 30 November combines rural sports demonstrations, music, a market and food stalls.

The guided experience “Zu ere pilotari” visits the Frontones de Jorge Oteiza in Azkoitia and enables participants to play a game of Pelota.

Urola Turismoa offers guided group tours with local guides, including the heritage area of Azkoitia.

Other Places

Other places to include in your travel plans are Usurbil, Orio, Éibar, Arechavaleta, Mendaro, Altzola, Mutriku and Aizarnazabal.

Local Area

Azkoitia has a bus service for the municipal area.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gipuzkoa.