Ziga

Perched on a hill overlooking the valley, the silhouette of the Herrerian parish church stands out against the sky, setting the tone for Ziga. Here, the reddish stone from the local quarries defines the austere walls against a landscape of meadows and barns stretching towards the horizon. It is a region where monumental architecture and rural life coexist in the silence of the heights, allowing the atmosphere of the place to manifest itself in its streets and squares.

Ziga general information

Ziga is organised around a square where the traditionally built houses seem to face towards the church. Situated as a link between the valley floor and the mountain peaks, this village offers a view of the northern part of Baztan, whilst preserving the traditions that have defined the character of its inhabitants for centuries. From the main centre to the neighbourhood of Zigaurre, time passes at a leisurely pace, reflecting the heritage that the area preserves in its original forms.

What to see in Ziga?

Ziga’s heritage allows you to observe the union between Herrerian rigour and the expanse of the Baztan landscape.

• Baztan Viewpoint: From the natural balcony that opens out onto the road towards Zigaurre, the view takes in Irurita, Lekaroz, Gartzain, Elizondo and Elbete. This vantage point offers a view of the mosaic of meadows and the oceanic climate that make up the visual identity of Navarre, with the farmhouses blending into the valley’s landscape.
• Church of San Lorenzo: Known as the ‘Cathedral of the Mountain’, this church, built between 1593 and 1602, is a fine example of the Herrerian style in Navarre. Its red-brick façade stands out for its simplicity, a quality that carries through to the interior, where a copy of Raphael’s ‘Madonna of the Fish’ is housed, forming part of a pictorial treasure trove.
• Casa Indartea: In the Zigaurre neighbourhood stands this house with an early 18th-century coat of arms that captivated Julio Caro Baroja himself. Its coat of arms, with its original forms, reflects the influence of Flemish trade and the economic prosperity of the Navarrese at the time.  
• Architecture of the square and its streets: Strolling through Ziga is to enjoy an exceptionally well-preserved townscape. Its manor houses, with carved wooden eaves and ashlar walls, form a setting of rustic elegance that surrounds the imposing presence of the parish church, creating a constant dialogue between the divine and the everyday.