Irún – Roman Heritage, the Camino de Santiago and the San Marcial Festival

The Santa Elena Necropolis initially served as a necropolis or cemetery for the inhabitants of Oiasso.

Culture and History

The Oiasso Roman Museum is a museum in the vicinity of Irun.

It brings together significant archaeological remains from the Roman period that were recovered through excavations in the surrounding area over the past decades.

Its collections are arranged in three rooms called Impacto, Puerto and Oiasso.

The Oiasso room explores everyday life in a Roman city of the early imperial period, including food, clothing, writing, leisure and religion.

At the Ermita de Santa Elena are the remains of a 1st-century Roman temple of the “in antis” type, as well as the remains of a local necropolis.

The present-day Ermita de Santa Elena is used as a museum and is a second building of the Oiasso Roman Museum.

The Santa Elena Hermitage Museum is a museum in the vicinity of Irun.

Puerta de Santa María is a historic site in the vicinity of Irun.

The Hornos de Irugurutzeta have been restored and prepared for cultural and tourist visits.

A visit includes access to a mining gallery where the work involved in extracting ore is recreated.

Gazteluzahar Castle stands on a hill overlooking the Behobia district and the strategic ford of the Bidasoa.

Gazteluzahar belongs to a group of five sites classified by the Basque Government as monumental ensembles and connected with the Camino de Santiago along its route through Irun.

The site is considered an important part of Gipuzkoa’s cultural heritage.

Routes and Festivals

The Santiago branch of the Camino de Santiago runs from the International Santiago Bridge to Plaza San Juan Harria.

The section is 1,550 metres long and has a low level of difficulty.

On 30 June, San Marcial Day, the inhabitants of Irun have commemorated the victory over the French troops since 1522.

The San Marcial Festival is characterised by the smell of gunpowder, historical costumes, drums, Txibilito music and a parade.

La Vía Verde follows the Bidasoa River and is a convenient walking route suitable for all groups, particularly intended for pedestrians and cyclists.

Landscape and Surroundings

Plage Sokoburu is a beach in the vicinity of Irun.

Playa de Fuenterrabía is a beach in the vicinity of Irun.

Plage Hondarribia is a beach in the vicinity of Irun.

Château d'Abbadia is a castle in the surroundings of Irun.

Punta Biosnar is a viewpoint in the surroundings of Irun.

Further Places

You can find further places here: Errezil, Usurbil, Legazpi, Pasaia, Oiartzun, Beasain, Éibar and Deba.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gipuzkoa.