Igantzi

Here, time passes amidst the rustling of leaves and the constant flow of the springs that define our landscape. In this part of Bortziriak, stone blends into the meadows surrounding the town centre, preserving a place where the material and everyday life chronicle a territory that reveals itself with serenity. It is a scene where the farmhouse and the forest coexist, allowing the atmosphere of the Navarran mountains to be sensed through the observation of its façades and the silence of its slopes.

Igantzi general information

The village of Igantzi is a haven of peace covering 16.6 km². Here you will feel embraced by the lands of Lesaka to the north, Etxalar to the east and Arantza to the west, forming a triangle of pure nature in the north of Navarre.

The history of our administrative independence began in 1461, and was consolidated in 1494 when King John III of Albret granted us the right to our own mayoralty. The memory of the place is recorded on the stone of the Town Hall, where an inscription commemorates the visit of figures such as Philip V in 1719, highlighting our status as a territory of transit and settlement within the region of Baztan-Bidasoa.

What to see in Igantzi?

Igantzi is best discovered through its trails and places of worship, where faith and nature merge.

• San Juan Xar Nature Reserve: A sacred place where ancient rites and botany come together. It is one of the few natural hornbeam forests on the Iberian Peninsula. In its grotto, tradition has it that drinking from its three spouts and wetting your feet cures skin ailments. It is a magical spot where the River Latsa guards centuries of mythology and devotion.
• Hermitage of La Piedad: Built in 1555 on a watchtower, the building offers a view of the layout of the centuries-old farmhouses that make up the neighbourhood of the same name. Its location highlights the link between the sacred space and the traditional architecture of the area.
• Bidasoa Greenway: The route of the old railway line runs through the neighbourhood of Berrizaun, following the course of the river. This path allows for a leisurely view of the Bidasoa riverbed beneath the canopy of trees, without disrupting the rhythm of local life.
• Traditional architecture and the town centre: The stone houses with wooden balconies and carved eaves reflect the heritage of the Bortziriak communities. Each façade reflects a respect for the materials, forming a cohesive whole where the elegance of the stonework and the whitewash define the town’s visual identity.