Discover Tolosa: Culture, Market Tradition and Trails on Uzturre

Tolosa is home to the Iglesia de Santa María, a 17th-century Gothic church in the Basque Country with three high naves, ribbed vaults and a Baroque façade.

Culture

TOPIC is the only centre in Europe devoted entirely to the art of puppetry. It includes a permanent exhibition, a large hall for temporary exhibitions, a multidisciplinary event space with 250 seats, a puppet workshop and an extensive documentation archive.

The Palacio de Arámburu is a clear example of Basque Baroque. Its cellar housed the printing presses established at the behest of Miguel Aramburu, where the Fueros de Gipuzkoa were first published in 1696.

The Iglesia San Francisco was built between 1587 and 1674 outside the city walls, directly on the Camino Real de Castilla. Its furnishings include a single-nave interior, a barrel vault and a Renaissance altarpiece by Anbrosio Bengoetxea.

The Convento de Santa Clara is a large convent building with a cloistered section dating from 1666. The sculpture Atauts, created by Jorge Oteiza in 1994, stands in the Plaza del Triángulo. Lizardiren Leihoa by Eduardo Chillida has been part of Tolosa’s cityscape since 1983 and is a tribute to the poet Xabier Lizardi.

Trails and Activities

The Santa Lutzia–Uzturre route offers an alternative way to climb Uzturre from Santa Lutzia. Along the route are viewpoints overlooking the Uzturre mountain range and the geological origins of Tolosa; the trail also passes the remains of Miserikordia Zaharra.

The reception desk of Centro BTT Euskadi at the Usabal sports centre in Tolosa offers cycling routes for all ability levels. The Frontón Beotibar hosts professional pelota matches in the hand-pelota and cesta punta disciplines.

The Camino de Santiago gives pilgrims taking the inland route the opportunity to get to know Tolosa. Tolosa also has two RENFE stations for commuter services.

Markets and Festivals

The Mercado de Tolosa has been held every Saturday for centuries at three open-air locations, transforming the town centre into a large fair. The Tolosa market has been held since the 13th century; since 1785, its venue has been the Tinglado.

A visit to the Mercado de Tolosa conveys the historical importance of the market, its influence on the town’s development and the origin of typical products from Tolosaldea, such as Alubia and Piparra.

The Fiestas de San Juan are Tolosa’s most important festivities and take place on 24 June. They preserve the Bordon-dantza and the tradition of jumping over the fire.

The Carnavales de Tolosa are municipal carnival celebrations that attract people from towns throughout Euskal Herria. TITIRIJAI was established in 1983 as a performing arts initiative for children.

Other Places

You can access other places by clicking their names: Mondragón, Errenteria, Zumaia, Bidania, Escoriaza, Oiartzun, Urnieta and Orio.

Visits

The Museo del Chocolate Rafa Gorrotxategi presents the history of chocolate and its centuries-long relationship with the Basque Country. After the guided museum visit, it offers a workshop on making chocolate. An appointment must be arranged in advance for the Museo del Chocolate Rafa Gorrotxategi.

For the overarching travel overview: Gipuzkoa.