Sunbilla

The river dictates the character of Sunbilla, a town where stone not only supports walls but also bridges the distance between its two neighbourhoods. In this landscape of Malerreka, the memory of the ancient routes to Gipuzkoa and France remains etched in the layout of its streets, where the sound of water coexists with the traces of those who travelled these lands centuries ago. It is a territory that manifests itself in the strength of its rural traditions and the silence of its architecture, integrating the heritage of Baztan-Bidasoa into a scene that unfolds without the need for interpretative artifice.

Sunbilla general information

Our location on the map of Malerreka, just a few kilometres from Doneztebe/Santesteban and on the border with Etxalar and Ituren, has historically defined Sunbilla as a vital communication hub. For centuries, this municipality served as the route along which supplies were transported for the armies and travellers of the Kingdom of Navarre. This significance necessitated collective cooperation amongst the local districts to maintain their infrastructure against flooding, cementing the town’s status as a key player in the history of Baztan-Bidasoa.

What to see in Sunbilla?

A stroll through Sunbilla reveals exquisite architecture and monuments that pay tribute to hard work and tradition.

• The Stone Bridge (1562): Built to replace an old wooden bridge, its importance was such that the cost was shared amongst the districts of Navarre. Having withstood the floods of the 17th and 18th centuries, it was renovated in 1987 and remains the link between the town’s two neighbourhoods.
• Subizar Palace: Built in 1567, this site of a former armoury features civil architecture characterised by its ogee windows and semicircular arch. Its presence, linked to the ruins of the old parish church, bears witness to the antiquity of the original town centre.
• Main Street and Sunbilla Palace: A stroll through the village reveals the importance of the ancient noble families. Sunbilla Palace features an 18th-century Baroque coat of arms, whilst the 19th-century town hall completes a complex where the reddish stonework defines the town’s character.
• Plaza Ramón Latasa: This square is dedicated to the memory of Basque rural sports. The monument to the local aizkolari is not presented as a tourist attraction, but as a record of the strength and technique that form part of everyday life in Baztan- Bidasoa.
• 19th-century wash house: This curious star-shaped wash house was restored in 2011 through auzolan (community work), reflecting the strong spirit of collaboration among the residents of Sunbilla.
• Bidasoa Greenway: The route of the old railway line crosses the municipality, allowing visitors to observe the river basin and the local vegetation without disrupting the town’s leisurely pace.