Lesaka

Here, the River Onin flows through the stonework of the bridges, marking the stone and water that define the town’s daily life. In this part of the Bortziriak region , the traces of the old ironworks remain woven into the stately architecture that inhabits the landscape between meadows and peaks. It is a setting defined by the strength of metal and the silence of its cobbled streets, where industrial heritage coexists with the unhurried rhythm of a land that simply unfolds.

Lesaka general information

Lesaka covers an area of 54.7 km² of rolling countryside that hugs the Bidasoa, the river that marks the borders with Bera and Irún. Lesaka is the heart of Bortziriak, neighbouring Etxalar, Igantzi and Arantza, and guardian of a history that began long before the town itself, as evidenced by the dolmens of Agiña.

Although the town centre you can explore today dates back to the 14th century, Lesaka remains vibrant thanks to its resilience. This town has weathered fires and attacks on the Navarrese border, and survived thanks to its ironworks and the fortnightly markets granted by King John of Albret and Queen Catherine I in 1499. In 1958, the arrival of industry transformed its economy, but failed to erase the essence of a stately village that is proudly preserved.  

What to see in Lesaka?

Lesaka’s heritage allows you to observe the union between stately architecture, sacred art and the memory of the peaks.

• Church of Saint Martin of Tours: Perched atop a hill, this monumental church dominates the landscape. Inside, the Rococo high altarpiece is a jewel of Navarrese Baroque, a testament to 16th-century architectural mastery.
• Zabaleta Tower: A fine example of 15th-century palaces with a military command post. This ancestral tower, which even hosted the Duke of Wellington, was rebuilt after being burnt down during the border wars. Its silhouette beside the River Onin is a scene that evokes the power of the town’s ancient families.
• Agiña: Here, prehistoric dolmens stand alongside the stele created by Jorge Oteiza in homage to Father Donostia and the chapel by Luis Vallet. It is a peaceful viewpoint, also marked by the memory of the post-war bunkers and the road built by Republican prisoners.
• Minddurinea Tower: Dating from the 14th century, this dark stone structure remains the oldest surviving example of the medieval town layout. Its location, on the path leading up to the church, offers a glimpse of the technical solidity of early Lesaka.
• Stately homes and the River Onin: The river flows past palaces such as Bihurrietxea and the Casa de Cultura (Harraskulo Palace). The civil architecture here is characterised by balconies and carved heraldry.