Zamartze Monastery

A spot nestled among ancient paths  

Here, where the ashlar stone bears the imprint of the ancient road and the shadow of the Aralar Mountain Range envelops its silhouette, time simply unfolds in silence. At Zamartze Monastery, one can sense the echo of overlapping centuries and the nearby murmur of the River Arakil, which accompanies without disturbing. It stands as a place of contemplation and deep-rooted history, where the memory of the Aracaeli estate and the solidity of its Romanesque architecture coexist in serene harmony, slowly revealing themselves to those who choose to linger in its tranquillity.

Zamartze Monastery – general information  

It stands as a key landmark of rural Romanesque architecture in Navarre, situated in the municipality of Uharte Arakil, in the heart of the Sakana Valley. Its identity is rooted in a landscape steeped in history, occupying the very site of the ancient Roman mansion of Aracaeli, a strategic inn on the road linking Astorga with Bordeaux.

The current church is thought to have been built around 1140, replacing an earlier 10th-century church. Its architecture features a single nave of dressed ashlar, divided into three bays and topped by a circular apse that houses a medieval necropolis with graves facing the rising sun. Over time, it has maintained a close relationship with the nearby Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar, even sharing the work of the same stonemasons.

How to get to Zamartze Monastery?

Access to the site is straightforward via the Barranca/Sakana corridor.

• From Uharte Arakil: It is a 15-minute walk, crossing the River Arakil via its medieval bridge.
• Access by road: It is situated next to the road leading to Irañeta , with a connection from the A-10 motorway (Pamplona–Vitoria/Gasteiz).
• Public transport: It is accessible by train, with several daily services from Pamplona and Vitoria, or by regular bus.

What to do at Zamartze Monastery?

This place allows you to discover the coexistence of Roman heritage and medieval spirituality.  

• Admire the Romanesque façade: A space where you can appreciate the mastery of the stonemasons in their archivolts, decorated with plant and geometric motifs.
• Explore the archaeological excavations: A site where traces of the Roman road and the graves of pilgrims who travelled this route to Santiago are preserved.
• Visit the adjoining ‘little museum’: An exhibition space featuring objects found in the surrounding area, ranging from Roman coins to artefacts from the 19th century.
• Visit the house of spirituality: A place of silence and contemplation, with modern facilities opened in 2005.
• Hiking through the natural surroundings: The immediate area offers the chance to discover the karst landscape of the Sierra de Aralar and observe colonies of vultures on the nearby slopes.