Arano in Navarre: Landscapes, Culture and Holiday Apartment

Arano in Navarre is home to the Cromlech de Añona. The Arano–Mandoegi–Leiza megalithic area includes 56 cromlechs; Errekaleku lepoa is one of the named sites in this area.

Nature

Narrow valleys as well as deeply cut and meandering rivers shape the landscape of Arano. At 872 metres, Leuneta is the highest point in the municipality of Arano. Arano’s natural deciduous forests include oaks, beech trees, chestnut trees and ash trees; reforested areas consist of conifers. The sea is visible from the centre of Arano; on clear days, you can also see the “Gaviota de Bermeo”.

Culture

The present-day Parroquia de San Martín was built over the original medieval church and dates from the 19th century. Known as the Iglesia de San Martín de Arano, it is a single-nave building with four bays, including a bay serving as a transept and a straight-ended chancel. Its high altar is dominated by a Baroque altarpiece from the second half of the 17th century. The church also has a rectangular Renaissance baptismal font. The Lavadero de Larriturri is the only washhouse still preserved in Arano. Arano has two mills: the upper and lower mills, whose stone walls on the banks of the Latxe stream are covered by vegetation.

Trails

From the centre of Arano, a path leads to the mills, follows the stream and passes the pond known as Lamiosin. The Ermita de San Roque lies on the road to Oraune, along a track lined with beech trees; it was restored through communal work. On 16 August, a pilgrimage in honour of Saint Roch takes place at the Ermita de San Roque. The footpath to the Ermita de Juan Sebastián begins behind the church and leads uphill to the left at the first crossroads. The Ermita de Juan Sebastián lies outside Arano’s built-up centre and offers exceptional views. The Burnin recreational area is located near the boundary between Goizueta and Arano. From there, a path leads to the Borda de Burnin and passes the Txingurrieta spring. The road connection to Arano is the NA-4150. The local tourist information office is located in the Kontseju taberna in the town centre.

Other places: Burgui, Salinas De Oro, Muruzábal, Fontellas, Ostiz, Tudela, Araitz, Gorraiz

Festivals

The festivals of Arano are called Santiyu; the main festival day is 25 July. The celebrations include Herri Kirolak, traditional Basque rural sports. Sardines are eaten in Arano’s village square, and a fire is lit behind the frontón. At nightfall, talos are prepared in the portico of the association so that the residents can enjoy them. On 24 December, children and young people in Arano carry the jointly made Olentzero on their backs through the hamlets of the village and sing Christmas carols. A group of young people goes to the various hamlets in Arano and asks for food and money, accompanied by trikitixa and txistu.

To the main travel overview: Navarre.