Lesaka: Trails, Architectural History and Customs

Lesaka can be experienced through trails across the landscape, impressive architectural history and customs that become visible on specific days.

Other places at the same level are Arce, Meoz, Ardaitz, Tiebas-Muruarte de Reta, Aspurz, Noáin, Aribe and Arróniz.

Nature

The Vía Verde del Bidasoa offers a 42-kilometre, almost flat route suitable for cycling and walking. Since June 2022, this route has been connected to Lesaka town centre.

The Agiña–Domiko hiking trail passes the Agiña dolmen. The Agiña megalithic site, with tumuli, dolmens and cromlechs, is also located near Lesaka; the area is suitable for walking.

An easily accessible mountain hike offers excellent views of Lesaka and the rest of Bortziriak. The Lesaka–Frain route is 2.5 kilometres long, climbs 450 metres and leads to a summit with a panoramic table. The different route lengths, elevation profiles and landscape themes make various day-trip plans comparable.

Culture

The Church of San Martín de Tours is one of Navarre’s outstanding religious buildings and shapes the townscape of Lesaka. Construction began in 1561 and was completed in 1737, when the tower and façade were finished.

The furnishings include a Romantic organ built in 1891 in Saragossa by Manuel Roqués y hermano and partially rebuilt in 1950 by the Amezúa company. The organ, the altarpieces and other church objects are recognised as Bien de Interés Cultural.

The Nuestra Señora de los Dolores convent is an important example of 18th-century Carmelite convent architecture. In the central niche of its preserved church façade is a depiction of Our Lady of Sorrows created by Juan Adán. The convent houses the Centro del Hierro y la Forja, within the Lesaka tourist information centre.

History

The medieval Bereau Bridge lies between Lesaka and Etxalar, approximately 2 kilometres east of Lesaka. It is a historic and artistic heritage site and is associated with the town’s ironworks.

The Minddurenea Tower is probably considered the oldest surviving building in Lesaka; some archaeologists date it to the 14th century. Zabaleta Tower was built in 1444 and is a building with a military character. The medieval Zabaleta tower house in Lesaka is not open to visitors.

Festivals and Customs

The Sanfermines are Lesaka’s patron saint festival and take place from 6 to 10 July; 7 July is the main day. On that day, the Ezpatadantzaris perform the Zubigainekoa dance on the banks of the Onin in Lesaka, commemorating a peace pact concluded by Lesaka’s districts in the 15th century.

Lesaka’s carnival includes the procession of the Zako Zar, also called Zako-Zahar. Around 20 young men carry sacks filled with dry grass; the traditional procession ends in the square.

The livestock fair of the Cinco Villas has been held since 1499 on the basis of a royal privilege. Lesaka is considered the place of origin of Olentzero.

On 24 December, a competition featuring nativity scenes and Olentzero figures takes place in Lesaka’s Plaza Zaharra. Groups carry the figures on their shoulders and sing two Christmas carols. On Corpus Christi, the streets of Lesaka are decorated and a procession is held.

Diostesalve is a New Year’s Eve tradition in Lesaka in which a group dressed as it would be on Olentzero Day walks through the town singing traditional melodies. In connection with the Feast of Saint Anthony on 17 January, the traditional pilgrimage to San Antón takes place on the following Sunday.

To the higher-level travel overview: Navarre.