Arraioz

Arraioz is a place where time seems to have stood still to protect the oldest treasures of the Baztan. Upon arrival, the silence is broken only by the sound of water and, occasionally, by the sharp thud of the ball against the stone. It is a village where medieval tower houses watch over the horizon and traditions, such as the game of laxoa, are kept alive as an essential part of its identity and culture. Strolling through Arraioz is like walking through the purest Baztan, the one that jealously guards its roots and its rustic elegance.

Arraioz general information

Here, life revolves around a square that has been a meeting place since the Middle Ages. The town’s identity is carved into the stonework of the three palaces of the Cape of Arms, which bear witness to the strategic importance of this enclave in the ancient Kingdom of Navarre.

In Arraioz, the community inhabits architecture that combines the military solidity of the towers with the scale of the traditional Baztan farmhouses. Here, respect for the region’s heritage is evident in the preservation of every façade and in the continuity of the customs that define the character of the locals.

What to see in Arraioz?

Arraioz offers visitors a visual journey through Navarre’s defensive architecture and most ancient folklore.

• Laxoa Square: Located next to the church, it is probably the most beautiful square of its kind still in existence. Here, laxoa is played, the oldest form of Basque pelota in existence.
• Jauregizarrea Palace: This armoury palace retains its original structure as a medieval armoury tower, with two stone sections crowned by an impressive exposed timber structure. Its square-shaped dovecote at the top completes a silhouette that transports you back to the days of knights and frontiers.
• Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and its atrium: The parish church of Arraioz is a Baroque building with Neoclassical altarpieces inside and an exterior and that will leave you in awe: a garden and porticoed atrium where you can admire disc-shaped stelae and tombstones.
• The Zubiria and Bikuña Towers: Arraioz is fortunate to have several ancestral towers. The Zubiria Palace retains its appearance as a medieval military tower by the river, whilst the Jauregia Palace in Bikuña holds the distinction of being the oldest in the town.