Gartzain: Church, Palaces and Trails

San Martín de Gartzain Church probably has medieval origins. Its construction began in the last decades of the 16th century, and most of the work was completed in 1678. The work carried out in the last third of the 16th century included the construction of the tower, which was completed in 1594.

Culture and History

The floor plan of San Martín de Gartzain is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a nave divided into two bays, a slightly projecting transept and a pentagonal apse. The church houses two side altarpieces dedicated to Saint Joseph, dating from 1787, and Saint Joachim, dating from 1819.

The cemetery of Gartzain contains 40 gravestones. Most date from the 18th century and state the name of the associated house and the year.

Gartzain celebrates its patron saint’s festival on 12 October, the feast day of Our Lady of the Pillar.

The Palacio Cabo de Armería Iturbidea is located in the Aizano district of Gartzain. It is the ancestral home of the Itúrbide family; Sancho de Iturbide lived there from 1568. Parts of the original structure that have been preserved include a Doric column and the Iturbide family coat of arms on a door arch.

Oyar House is a four-storey farmhouse accessed via a staircase protected by a small roof.

Trails

The SL-NA 11 Elizondoa circular route connects Elizondo, Lekaroz, Irurita, Aitzano, Gartzain and Ariztegi along one route. On the section through Aitzano, the trail reaches the district between large manor houses and passes by the washhouse shortly afterwards. In Ariztegi, the circular route passes the Ermita del Pilar.

The washhouse of Ariztegi is a small ethnographic structure between the district’s large farmhouses and was recently restored. The Ermita del Pilar in Ariztegi is a temple of medieval origin that was rebuilt as part of the Auzolan, that is, through community labour.

The SL-NA 11 Elizondoa circular route is 8.43 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 150 metres and is rated as easy. In its final section, the Camino Xubiondo passes through a landscape of woodland, a small stream and moss-covered stone walls.

The different route details provide a clear basis for considering trails and cultural sites separately when planning your own day.

Landscape

The landscape of Gartzain combines sturdy farmhouses, old palaces, bordas and green meadows.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Gartzain, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the listings pages. The three fields can be considered separately for your own travel planning and compared in advance with your personal priorities.

Other destinations for your own research include Abaurregaina, Eslava, Meoz, Olite, Ilzarbe, Barañáin, Ochagavía and Huarte.

Getting There

Gartzain can be reached via the N-121-B. To get to Irurita, turn right towards Gartzain one kilometre before Elizondo. Gartzain is 46 kilometres from Pamplona.

For the higher-level travel overview: Navarre.