Table of Contents
La Antigua, the cathedral of the Basque hermitages.
The hermitage of La Antigua de Zumarraga, also known as the hermitage of Santa Maria de Zumarraga, is one of the most striking temples of Euskadi. A religious building that is considered by many as the cathedral of the Basque hermitages. This building of austere exterior and surprising interior was built in the Middle Ages (XV century) on a defensive building of the XII century.
The interior of the hermitage of La Antigua de Zumarraga is without a doubt one of its greater attractiveness. An oak wood cover with dozens of small details that makes visitors admire this great architectural work. If you want to know everything related to the hermitage of Antigua, we recommend that you read with calm and concentration each one of the sections of this article. We are sure that it will help you to plan your trip to Zumarraga. 
Information about the Antigua Chapel.
- Online reservations: Here.
- Price of free visits: 0€, free of charge.
- Candle price: 1€.
- Mass: First Saturdays of the month at 8:00.
- Location: Beloki Hiribidea, Zumarraga, Euskadi.
This hermitage of Romanesque style and covered with wood, is part of the so-called route of the 3 temples together with Loiola and Arantzazu. A pilgrimage that gains importance on July 2, the day on which the town’s festivities are celebrated. 
History of the Antigua Chapel.
Knowing the history of La Antigua is essential to enjoy this corner of Euskadi. And we must emphasize that the hermitage of La Antigua was the first documented temple in the interior of the province of Gipuzkoa. Since then, this Basque temple has undergone many changes:
- XVI CenturyIn 1522, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was baptized in this temple. Until 1576 it was the main parish of Zumarraga, from this year the hermitage was abandoned.
- XVII CenturyAfter passing to the second line, the hermitage fell into oblivion until 1605, when the patrons of the hermitage bought the house and land surrounding it. It was in this house that the people in charge of the maintenance of the hermitage lived.
- XVIIIth centuryIn 1746 the rehabilitation of the hermitage begins.
- XIX CenturyThe hermitage was used as a hospital to take care of people with contagious diseases and as an arms warehouse.
- XX CenturyThe construction of the road was the period in which the hermitage underwent the most changes. And it is that in 1976 the most important rehabilitation of this religious temple was undertaken.
Timetable of the Antigua Chapel in Zumarraga.
The opening hours of the Antigua Chapel vary depending on the time of the year when we visit Zumarraga. There is also the possibility of hearing mass in this iconic Basque temple. In any case, we recommend that you confirm this information before traveling.
- From May 1 to October 31: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
- From November 1 to April 30: Only weekends and holidays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
- Mass: First Saturdays of the month at 8:00.
Legends of the hermitage of La Antigua.
There are several legends surrounding the hermitage of La Antigua, but the best known is that of the gentiles. For those of you who have not heard of this character from Basque mythology, they were pagans with supernatural strength who lived in the Basque mountains. Well, according to legend, the gentiles, seeing that humans were trying to build this hermitage, threw large stones from Aizkorri to destroy it, but they did not succeed. In fact, they helped in its construction. And it is that the neighbors of Zumarraga used those same stones to finish the temple of which we speak to you today. 
Sculptures.
Inside La Antigua we find several sculptures such as the Virgin Mary, the Crucifixion, Santa Ana or the Pietà. Sculptures all of them of incalculable value. It is for this reason that we recommend that you look at every detail of these figures located inside the chapel.
- Virgin MaryThis statue carved on a single block of wood is located behind the altar of this emblematic hermitage. A gothic piece of maternal character that stands out from the rest.
- CrucifixionThis piece, like the previous one, is of gothic style. A work of art located on the left side, in which the pain of Jesus crucified can be appreciated. We must indicate that this piece occupied the central position before the restoration in 1975.
- Sculpture of the PietàThis piece, originally from the hermitage of Our Lady of Zufiaurre, of Renaissance style, has been catalogued as one of the oldest pieces of this theme in Gipuzkoa.
- Sculpture of Saint AnneThis renaissance sculpture shows us Saint Anne and the virgin. A carving located on the right side of the chapel that we are sure will catch your attention.
Exterior and interior of the hermitage.
This hermitage of 1 nave, 2-slope roof and rectangular plan was built with stone and wood. Two noble elements that are repeated in most of the historical buildings of Gipuzkoa and Euskadi (see for example Igartubeiti museum). The exterior of the hermitage is very simple. Nothing to do with its interior, where a framework of beams and oak sleepers create a roof worthy of contemplation and enjoyment. The 6 pillars that we find next to the door form the base that leads to the second floor, where we find the choir. If we look at the wood, we will find engravings of different themes. 
Route of the 3 temples.
This route starts in Donostia San Sebastian, capital of Gipuzkoa, from where we will travel to the Sanctuary of Loyola, halfway between Azpeitia and Azkotia, in the interior of the province. This temple in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Society of Jesus) is one of the great religious buildings of Euskadi. From here we will go to Zumarraga to visit the hermitage of Santa Maria, the hermitage that we present to you today. Afterwards we will go to Oñati to discover the incredible sanctuary of Arantzazu. Final point of this impressive route. 
Video of the Antigua Chapel.
As usual in all our publications, we have created a video about the hermitage of La Antigua de Zumarraga so you can see what awaits you at your destination. We hope it will be helpful when planning your trip. If you like this kind of videos, we recommend you to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can discover all the places and experiences that we recommend you to see and enjoy in Euskal Herria. We are waiting for you!
Interpretation center.
The interpretation center and tourist office of La Antigua is located a few meters from the chapel. A space that allows us to know in a more detailed way the Ignatian Way and the hermitage of La Antigua. The interpretation center has more than 1,300 square meters dedicated to exhibitions about Zumarraga. There is also a bar-restaurant, which in summer is a great option for spending the day with the family.
Interpretation center hours.
- Easter, July and August: From 10:00 to 18:00.
- Rest of the year: Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 to 14:30. Saturdays from 11:00 to 14:30 and from 16:30 to 18:30. Sundays from 10:30 to 14:30.
Visit the hermitage of Antigua.
Although you can visit the hermitage of La Antigua on your own, completely free of charge, there is also the possibility of guided tours for groups. This option is recommended for large groups that want to get to know La Antigua and Zumarraga with the help of a local guide. This guided tour can be extended to visit other areas of the region or the provincial capital itself, Donostia San Sebastian. 
Why is it called the hermitage of La Antigua?
Until the year 1576 this hermitage was the main parish of Zumarraga, moment, in which the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, located in the bottom of the valley took the relief. There are 2 hypotheses on the nickname of “La Antigua”: For being one of the oldest buildings of the region or for being the old church of Zumarraga. This last one gains strength with the passage of time. 
Location.
The hermitage is located at the top of the valley offering stunning views over the town of Zumarraga. Next to the temple, in addition to the interpretation center, we also find an area with tables and benches, where we can spend the day with the family. Its location at 500 meters of altitude invites us to enjoy the different routes that start next to the interpretation center. 
What to see in Zumarraga.
Zumarraga, one of the most important towns in the region of Urola Garaia, offers us a good handful of places to visit. Places that we already presented to you a few weeks ago. If you want to know Zumarraga, we recommend reading our article on what to see in Zumarraga. In any case, we leave you some of the most important.
- Santa María de la Asunción Church.
- Legazpi House.
- Euskadi Square.
- City Hall.
- Zelai Arizti Fronton.
What to see near Zumarraga.
The towns surrounding Zumarraga offer a number of places to see and enjoy. A perfect complement to any trip to the interior of the province of Gipuzkoa. We leave you a small list with some of the places that we recommend you to visit. We hope you like them.
What to do in Euskadi.
In Euskadi we have a good number of experiences that help us to enjoy our land. We leave you a small list with the most demanded ones. We hope you enjoy some of them. Remember that you can book any of them through our reservation center.
The hermitage of La Antigua of Zumarraga is one of the most striking temples of Euskadi. A religious building that we recommend you to visit in every trip to Gipuzkoa. In case you have any doubt about this hermitage, we recommend you to use the comment system that you will find under these lines to send it to us. We will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!
0 Comments