Arantza

Arantza is characterised by steep slopes and forests that cover more than half of its area. In this setting of Bortziriak, the hamlet blends into the hillsides as a testament to a life linked to the mountains, where civil architecture coexists with the silence of the peaks. 

Here, the silence of the mountains and the presence of the reddish stone bear witness to a culture that inhabits its territory with discretion, allowing the forest and the traces of water to tell their own story.

Arantza general information

This municipality, covering 31.2 km², holds a history dating back 4,000 years, visible in the dolmens that dot its highest hills. Following its origins under the Navarrese monarchy in the 13th century, life in Arantza developed in connection with the ironworks and the production of charcoal along the river. It is a region where the spirit of the baserritarra (local farmer) coexists today with the industrial activity of nearby towns such as Bera or Lesaka, maintaining a landscape where the network of scattered farmhouses remains the backbone of the scenery.

What to see in Arantza?

Arantza invites you to put on your walking boots and discover how history has become part of its landscape.

• Town centre and traditional architecture: A stroll through the streets of Arantza reveals examples of architecture from the 16th to the 18th centuries, where the fountains and traditional wash house bear witness to the daily use of water. The 16th-century church and the Town Hall, with its coat of arms, preside over a collection of façades that demonstrate respect for the materials and the heritage of the place.
• Trail to San Juan Xar and the Aranibar Tower House: This 5.7 km route is a journey through history and botany. It crosses ancient roads and stone bridges, passing by the Aranibar Tower House, a noble 15th-century building. The trail leads to the San Juan Xar Nature Reserve, the only place on the peninsula where the hornbeam grows naturally in a legendary setting.
• The Izu Hills and the Artikutza Forest: The paths climbing towards the ridges of Izu offer views of the work of shepherds and farmers in the valley’s extensive woodland. The landscape changes with the passing of the seasons, blending the barns and forests into a scene that unfolds without disturbing the tranquillity of these mountains.
• Megalithic heritage: On the higher hills, prehistoric burial monuments bear witness to the presence of the earliest settlers. The location of these dolmens allows visitors to view the archaeological remains in their original setting, offering a bird’s-eye view of the Bortziriak landscape.