Ezkurra

In the heart of the Basaburua Menor valley, at an altitude of 525 metres, the Ezkurra landscape stands as a watershed flanked by peaks. Here, the landscape itself is the cradle where the rivers Ezkurra and Urumea are born, marking a territory of woodland and industrial heritage. The history of ironworks and ancient manors lives on in the solidity of the walls and the silence of its megalithic routes, reflecting the character of Baztan-Bidasoa without the need for artifice.

Ezkurra general information

The history of this place is evident in the prehistoric remains of its surroundings and in documents that mention its name as early as 1197. This is a region which, having been the administrative capital of the Beintza-Labaien valley, became an independent municipality in 1846. The textile and ironworking industries of the 19th century remain an integral part of the region’s heritage, where agriculture and livestock farming continue to shape the use of the land and the landscape of Baztan-Bidasoa.

What to see in Ezkurra?

Ezkurra offers a glimpse of the coexistence between everyday life and the vestiges of a feudal and spiritual past.

• Church of the Assumption: Situated at the highest point of the village, this Gothic-Renaissance church is unique in that its internal structure is made entirely of wood. At its entrance stands the old ‘zimitterio’, a space that preserves the memory of the village’s ancient burial grounds.
• Source of the Ezkurra and Urumea rivers: The terrain of the Ezkurra Pass marks the source of two of the main rivers on the Cantabrian side. Whilst the Ezkurra River flows eastwards to form the Malerreka, the Urumea makes its way towards the Cantabrian Sea, shaping the river landscape of these mountains.
• Hamarrendegia Palace: This former palace of the Chief Armourer stands as a testament to the feudal power that collected tithes from the harvest. Its presence recounts feudal chronicles that form part of the identity of Baztan-Bidasoa, and today it stands as an integral part of the town’s urban fabric.
• Megalithic Landscape: The hills surrounding Ezkurra are dotted with dolmens and prehistoric remains, offering hiking trails that combine physical exercise with archaeology in an unspoilt setting.