Escoriaza: Atxorrotx, Culture and Trails

In Escoriaza are the Asuntzeta burial mounds and the Mugarriluze menhir.

Culture and History

Atxorrotx is located in the Bolibar district of Escoriaza, in the Debagoiena region of Gipuzkoa, near the border with Araba and Bizkaia and within the Aizkorri-Aratz Nature Park.

The archaeological zone of Atxorrotx Castle was declared a monument by the Basque Government in 2012.

The Atxorrotx fortress stands at an altitude of 750 metres on a summit with an exceptional panorama, allowing extensive control of the surrounding area.

The Museo Ibarraundi is housed in a palace of the same name dating from the 15th century and is dedicated to history, ethnography and the environment.

The museum presents these subjects through audiovisual media, exhibitions and guided tours.

The Museo Ibarraundi also displays a replica of the Axtroki gold bowls from the Late Bronze Age.

The Horno de Zubiate dates from the 19th century and was used to produce utilitarian ceramics such as cups and plates.

It is one of the best-preserved ceramic kilns in the Basque Country and the only surviving example of its kind in Gipuzkoa.

Casa Palacio Zalbidegoitia dates from the 18th century and belongs to the tradition of palaces built with income from trade with the Americas.

Today, Casa Palacio Zalbidegoitia houses the municipal cultural centre.

The Iglesia de San Pedro is a simple Baroque church from the second half of the 18th century. Particularly noteworthy are the ashlar stone tower and the image of Christ beneath the choir gallery.

The Hospital del Santísimo Rosario was built at the beginning of the 17th century and declared a historic-artistic monument of provincial significance.

These landmarks bring together different historical periods: from the burial mounds and the Late Bronze Age gold bowl replica, through the castle zone, to buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries in the local history of Escoriaza itself.

Trails through the Landscape

The Ruta de los Túmulos offers two route options.

The Eskolore route passes through the districts of Apotzaga and Gellao, north of Escoriaza, as well as along the slope of Mount Murugain.

It offers views from the Galartza Tower to the Sierra de Aralar and along the boundaries of Aramaio.

The Asentzio Cross serves as a landmark.

Escoriaza also has a route called “Castillo de Eneko”.

Other places: Elduain, Mondragón, Éibar, Aizarna, Mendaro, Andoain, Villabona, Errenteria.

Festivals and Local Structure

On the first Sunday in May, the pilgrimage to the Santa Cruz hermitage and Atxorrotx Day are on Escoriaza’s festival calendar.

An agricultural and crafts fair takes place on the first weekend of June. Its exhibition includes products, food, handicrafts and animals from the farmsteads; there is also a scarecrow and cheese competition.

Today, Escoriaza has seven anteiglesias, that is, rural districts.

Each of these anteiglesias has its own auzo-alkate, or local mayor.

For the overarching travel overview: Gipuzkoa.