Urdániz: Discover Culture, Bridges and Trails

The present-day parish church of San Miguel stands in Urdaitz/Urdániz on the site of the former San Miguel chapel. In Urdániz, it is a modern 20th-century building that replaced an older church damaged by a severe fire. San Miguel follows a 17th-century typology: its floor plan is shaped like a Latin cross, with a three-bay nave, a transept and a straight-ended chancel.

The Palacio de Urdániz is listed in the official register of the Kingdom as a cabo de armería. The built heritage in Urdaitz/Urdániz includes a palace with an adjoining house, a gateway bearing a coat of arms and medieval details.

History

The Luskozubi Bridge, also known as Esku-zubi or Eskusibil, is medieval in origin. It does not span the Arga River, but rather the Inbuluzketa stream near the course of the Arga, and has a single pointed arch opening. In 1391, the body of the pilgrim Coleta de Bonilla was found beneath the bridge’s arch.

The grain mill belonging to the hydroelectric complex of Urdaitz was in operation from the mid-19th century. The Urdaitz Bridge dates from the first half of the 20th century. It has two semicircular arches and a projecting pier to protect it from the current; the structure is made entirely of concrete. When viewing the structures, you can pay attention to their different forms and historical classifications.

Local Character

The hydroelectric complex of Urdaitz comprises a weir, a mill, a power station, irrigation areas and a bathing area. The building next to the old mill is now a renowned two-Michelin-star restaurant; historic elements of the mill, such as hammers, wheels and transmission belts, have been preserved there.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Urdániz, compare the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer page. To help choose your location, you can weigh cultural history, bridges, trails and the hydroelectric complex as distinct thematic focuses. The themes can be given different emphasis during your stay: the history of the churches and palace draws attention to architectural forms, the heraldic gateway and medieval details; the bridges lend themselves to comparing their period of construction, arch shape and building material. The route and hydroelectric complex, by contrast, provide separate points of reference for the landscape, technology and course of the trail on site.

Other destinations

Other destinations: Tiebas-Muruarte de Reta, Telleria, Azagra, Biurrun, Garde, Gartzain, Villafranca and Roncesvalles.

Festivals and Trails

The patron saint’s festival of Urdániz, held in honour of the Archangel Michael, takes place on the third weekend of July. The Ermitabizkar y Aldukain route begins on the main road through Urdaitz/Urdaniz, next to the frontón on the left. It reaches the Asketa pass, which forms the boundary between Urdaitz/Urdaniz and Inbuluzketa. The route’s summit offers views of Peña de Antxoritz, Baratxueta and Measkoitz. You can treat the starting point, pass and summit as different reference points when planning your day. Urdániz is a route point on the French Way through Navarre.

For the overarching travel overview: Navarre.