Artziniega, what to see and do.

Artziniega, what to see in the medieval village of the Ayala Valley.

Artziniega, medieval village located in the Valley of Aiara – Ayala, welcomes us showing us one of the most striking urban centers of Euskadi. A place that, thanks to its impressive tower houses, emblazoned palaces and cobbled streets, captivates all those who visit it. This article, structured in different sections, seeks to show all our readers the reasons why this incredible medieval town triples its inhabitants in summer. We hope that our recommendations will help you to know what to see in Artziniega and its surroundings. Artziniega is located in the northwest of Araba, sheltered by the mountains of the Aiara – Ayala Valley. A town that was essential in the trade routes in the north of Araba. An urban center that has been able to preserve its historical legacy and enhance its value. This is how Artziniega has become one of the most visited villages in this part of the Basque Country. An urban center, which, together with the city of Orduña (Urduña in Basque) attracts thousands of people to its surroundings throughout the year. Do you want to know what to see in Artziniega? Keep reading, you will love it.

Artziniega is surrounded by mountains of low altitude (around 700 meters), about 220 meters above sea level. An urban center, which takes us back to another era just by walking through its streets. Of course, you should know that although Artziniega invites to disconnection and tranquility, its proximity to 2 of the provincial capitals of Euskadi (27 kilometers from Bilbao and 55 from Vitoria Gasteiz), make it a perfect place for all travelers who decide to know the Basque Country from the tranquility of a rural village.

History of Artziniega.

Although the aim of this article is to show what to see in Artziniega, we believe that the history of a town is essential to understand its present and future. In this sense, you should know that the land on which the current medieval village of Artziniega sits has been populated since ancient times. This is attested by the first remains found in a cave near Retes de Tudela. Other indications that help us to understand the history of Artziniega are the elements found in the excavations carried out in the Sanctuary of La Encina. It was here that remains related to the Roman culture were found, dated between the 4th and 6th centuries. Artziniega began to be present in the books from the year 1272, it was then, when Alfonso X the Wise, King of Castile, decided to endow Artziniega with the title of Villa. After this change, Artziniega was governed by the Fuero de Bizkaia (laws) and by the Council of Vitoria (economy and tributes). During the reign of Henry II of Castile, Artziniega passed into the hands of D. Pedro López de Ayala, lord of the lands that today we invite you to walk and enjoy.

What to see in Artziniega.

Although everyone comes to Artziniega attracted by the charm of its urban center, you should know that it is not the only attraction of this village in Alava. The churches and palaces of this Basque town are only the tip of the iceberg of its beauty. We encourage you to read this report to know in first person everything related to Artziniega.

Medieval quarter: The urban center of Artziniega was declared a Monumental Site in 1995. A network of medieval buildings, which are connected by 3 parallel streets (Goeinkale, Artekale and Barrenkale) and several cantons. These buildings are part of the rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the town. Among all of them, we must highlight the gate of the town, the Ortiz de Molinillo Tower (hotel in disuse), the Artziniega square, the Monteano-Oribe Salazar Tower, the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, the Bengoa Tower and the many palatial houses that we find on our way. Spaces that make this historic center one of the best preserved of Euskal Herria along with others such as Laguardia or Segura.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Encina: 1 kilometer from the center, on a high point, on the road between Balmaseda and Artziniega, we can see the Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Encina. A building in honor of the patron saint of Artziniega, which represents one of the most striking monuments of the town. As we have already indicated previously, it is in this space where ancient elements of the Roman culture were found, a fact that makes historians believe that in this same place there were temples previous to the present one. The building that we have the opportunity to visit today was built in 1498, a Gothic/Renaissance style structure to which different elements have been added over time. According to the legends, this sanctuary was built in this place after the appearance of the virgin to a young girl from Artziniega who was next to an oak tree. Hence its name.

Santxotena Museum Workshop: This museum workshop has completely surprised us. Less than 30 minutes from the center of Bilbao, in Artziniega, we have the opportunity to contemplate the works of one of the most important artists of the Basque Country, Xabier Santxotena. This artist, faithful disciple of Jorge Oteiza, currently has 3 museums scattered throughout our land, an aspect that few artists can boast in the world. Xabier was born in the impressive Baztan Valley in 1946. A magical environment, in which nature takes special prominence. An aspect that we see reflected in many of his works. His environment, a family traditionally linked to wood craftsmanship, made him start very young in the art world. As you can see, a whole life dedicated to culture and history. For the visitor it is very attractive the fact that the artist is working in the workshop while we visit the works he has on display. A small detail, which together with the sketches of his works and the proximity of the artist, make the Santxotena Museum a different space in which to enjoy art in style. As if this were not enough, the Santxotena Workshop-Museum has an international collection of nativity scenes, which, under the name “Nativity Scenes of the World” shows more than 2,200 nativity scenes from the 5 continents. These creations have been made by artisans from their place of origin. Unique pieces that show us the different customs and traditions existing in the world. A cultural project of the first world order. Unfortunately, this exhibition, designed by Teresa Lafragua, director of the museum, can only be visited from the last weekend of November until January 31.

Ethnographic museum of Artziniega: The ethnographic museum of Artziniega is another of the attractions of Artziniega. A museum that attracts all those people who like to know the history and culture of the land they visit. The Artea Ethnographic Association, promoter and responsible for this museum, has been collecting traditional objects since 1984. Although in its beginnings this museum was located on the first floor of the Sanctuary of La Encina, in 2003 the entire exhibition was moved to the old municipal school of Artziniega. A building with a lot of history that houses 17 rooms dedicated to a specific aspect of the culture and history of the region. In short, a journey through the rural and urban life of the municipality and the region.

Artziniega Forge: The Artziniega Forge, an artisan workshop rehabilitated by the Ethnographic Association Artea, is an essential part of the Ethnographic Museum of Artziniaga. And it is that this small “txoko” (corner in Basque) located in the historic center of the town, narrates an essential part of a trade today almost forgotten. As in many other parts of our geography, in Artziniega the blacksmith was essential in the social evolution of the town. These craftsmen forged all kinds of tools for the daily life of our ancestors. According to experts, this trade has been developed in Artziniega since the Middle Ages, a trade that closed its doors in 1960 with the cessation of the Forge that we present today. Today, the Forge of Pablo Respaldiza can be visited every Sunday from 12:00 to 14:00. From TurismoVasco.com we want to thank Pablo Respaldiza for the great work he has done in maintaining a building that is an important part of the industrial heritage of the Basque Country. This Forge located in Barrenkale street in Artziniega, is one of the few that we can find in Araba.

Museum of Sacred Art of Artziniega: Next to the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Encina we find a small museum where religious elements of all kinds are exhibited. Among them, the collection of candlesticks, rosaries, paintings and images is remarkable.

Urban centers of Artziniega: In addition to the historic center of which we have spoken, Artziniega has 3 other urban centers scattered on the slopes of the surrounding mountains: Retes de Tudela, Soxoguti and Santa Koloma. Of these 3 settlements, Retes de Tudela, a small urban nucleus, calls special attention, which, located in a high place, invites us to contemplate the valley from the vicinity of its church.

Coats of arms: If you are planning to travel to Artziniega with your family, if you are going to visit this town accompanied by your children, we recommend a very interesting game: find the 47 coats of arms that exist on the facades of Artziniega. It is difficult to find another urban center with so many emblazoned houses, it is simply impressive. In this sense, encouraging our children to enjoy the town with this game, means providing our visit to the northwest of Araba with one more incentive. Are you up for it? On the other hand, if you would like to visit the places that surround Artziniega, we recommend you to read our article on routes to do with children in Euskadi. We are sure you will love it.

Artziniega waterfall: The Artziniega waterfall, better known as La Teja dam, surprises the traveler with a place full of charm. A short and simple walk, which connects the historic center of Artziniega with the dam in question. Once at the dam, the 3 small waterfalls that we found and the tranquility that is breathed, give the place a special charm. We recommend you to be attentive to the course of the river, because the riverbed surprises us with the most surprising forms.

Nature: Nature plays a very important role in Artziniega. And we must remember that we are in a rural area of great beauty and wealth. An ideal municipality for lovers of outdoor sports, a perfect place to breathe fresh air and get into the woods and mountains.

Where to sleep in Artziniega.

If you are looking for where to stay in Artziniega, if you are looking for a good, nice and cheap accommodation near Artziniega, this is the section you were looking for. Stop searching. Satia Berri houses, a small complex of wooden houses located in Llanteno, 6 minutes drive from Artziniega, surprises us with practical and beautiful accommodations in an environment of great natural beauty. As if this were not enough, these houses have a common area, where we find a “txoko” and a barbecue area where we can eat and relax. In our opinion the best option to stay in the Aiara – Ayala Valley. We recommend you to book from here, best price guaranteed.

What to see near Artziniega.

Although Artziniega has many things to see and do, it is always advisable to know everything that surrounds this urban center. Here is a nice list of places to visit near Artziniega.

Salto del Nervión: The Salto del Nervión is the largest waterfall in the peninsula. An impressive space that we recommend you to visit without a doubt. It is an ideal place for all types of tourist profiles, and is that the proximity of the parking lots and the multitude of existing routes, make that we can create plans of the most varied. More photos, videos and information in our article on the Salto del Nervión.

Visit cheese factory: The Aiara – Ayala Valley has a great tradition in terms of sheep, shepherds and cheese. A tradition that is still alive in each of the farmhouses in the area. An example of this is the Izoria cheese factory, one of the most popular cheese factories in the valley and one of the cheeses that we like the most in Araba, together with the cheeses of the La Leze cheese factory. We recommend a guided visit to some of the cheese dairies in the area and enjoy one of the most popular gastronomic experiences in the Basque Country.

Visit txakoli winery: The txakoli of this area of Euskadi is under the umbrella of the denomination of origin Arabako Txakolina. An organism that, together with producers, ensures that this emblematic wine of our land has all the properties and characteristics with which we are accustomed to. Undoubtedly one of the most demanded wines of Euskadi. We recommend you to visit a txakoli winery in the Aiara – Ayala Valley to get to know this special wine in detail.

Quejana Monumental Complex: Located 11 kilometers from Artziniega, we find the house of D. Pedro Lopez de Ayala, one of the most outstanding characters of the Middle Ages in Araba. The home of this Basque poet and diplomat was built by his father, Fernán Pérez de Ayala, in the 14th century. A group of buildings that was declared a Cultural Asset in 2002 for its great historical value. Nowadays, this complex formed by the convent, the palace, the church and the tower, is still an example of the civil architecture of that time. A space located in the middle of nature that has made more than one person fall in love with it.

Museum of berets La Encartada: The factory of txapelas (berets in Basque) La Encartada, is one of those jewels that we find near this area of Araba. This old factory is currently one of the greatest treasures of our industrial heritage. It is not for less. And it is that in its interior, there are the machines with which the emblematic txapelas of Euskadi were elaborated, an accessory, which has become an icon of our land. More information in our article Boinas La Encartada, the textile factory turned into a museum.

Orduña: Orduña, Urduña in Basque, is another of those urban centers of obligatory visit in the surroundings of Artziniega. In fact, it is the only town with the title of city that exists in the province of Bizkaia. A space full of enchantment to which it accompanies a natural place to remove the hiccups. An obligatory visit.

Balmaseda: If Artziniega and Orduña were obligatory visits, Balmaseda is not far behind. A town that you will fall in love with just by visiting its urban core, its historic center. In addition, if you have the opportunity to visit the town in May, during the medieval market, you will get a nice surprise. And it is that all Balmaseda dresses in their best clothes to enjoy this special event.

Maroño Reservoir: The Maroño reservoir is located at the foot of the Sierra Salvada, in an impressive natural setting formed by lush forests and green meadows. The Delika canyon and the Salto del Nervión (Nervión waterfall) are especially important in this environment.

Nervión Greenway: The greenway of the Nervión Linear Park is one of the most popular routes along the riverbed of the same name. A route that aims to connect the towns of Llodio (Laudio in Basque) and Orduña (Urduña) through a route full of surprises.

Bilbao: We leave for the end one of the most obvious visits. The visit to the capital of Bizkaia, Bilbao. A city with a great industrial history that has been converted into a modern and elegant city. We recommend reading our article on what to see in Bilbao so you do not miss any of the charms of this imposing Basque city.

Vitoria Gasteiz: Like Bilbao, Vitoria Gasteiz is another must-see. Capital of Araba and one of the most striking green cities in Europe. A city worth enjoying. We recommend reading our article on what to see in Vitoria Gasteiz.

Curiosities of Artziniega.

Such is the charm of this medieval village that some of the most striking films of our land have been filmed here. The last one has been “La Pequeña Suiza”. An audiovisual production that has been very well received by critics and has brought more than one smile to those who have had the opportunity to enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmDtFpVJ6bE

How to get to Artziniega.

Although Artziniega is located in the province of Araba, its geographical location on the border with Bizkaia, makes it only 30 minutes from Bilbao and 45 minutes from Vitoria Gasteiz. Therefore, we can say that Artziniega has all the advantages of a rural area only 30-45 minutes from 2 of the most important cities of Euskadi. Not bad, right?

Video about what to see in Artziniega.

If you want to know what to see in Artziniega through a short video, we recommend you to “press play” and enjoy this brief but intense audiovisual about this urban center. We hope you like it. We recommend you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to know many other places of our geography.

We hope that this article about what to see in Artziniega, will help you to discover this impressive place. A report, in which we have tried to collect the most important areas of Artziniega and surroundings. Your opinion is very important to us, so we invite you to let us know your doubts, suggestions or criticisms through the comments system that you will find below these lines.