Urroz

The slopes rising from the village of Urroz mark the transition to the beech forest and the waters of Leurtza. In this setting of Malerreka, the stonework of the houses preserves a medieval history that is evident in the silence of the streets, where the mountain air blends with the stone of the façades. Here, the mountain air and the murmur of the forests of Baztan-Bidasoa invite you to disconnect from the world and reconnect with the earth.

Urroz general information

This is a rugged landscape first mentioned in records dating back to 1280. Having previously formed part of the ancient valley of Santesteban de Lerín, the municipality gained its independence in 1845, situated in an enclave bordering Ituren and the Ultzama valley. Urroz's identity lies in its archaeological significance and in an urban beauty that preserves the essence of the Navarran mountains, serving as a record of the current uses of an environment that simply exists.

What to see in Urroz?  

Urroz offers a glimpse into the coexistence of faith, civil architecture and the traces of the valley’s earliest settlers.

• Leurtza Reservoirs: Access to this 381-hectare site is via the village centre of Urroz, passing through the beech forest until reaching the water’s edge. The area acts as a sanctuary for the red-bellied toad, integrating the reservoirs’ engineering into the Baztan-Bidasoa ecosystem.
• Church of San Miguel: The parish church stands as a beacon of architectural sobriety in the centre of the village. Inside, it houses a Gothic-style image of the Virgin and Child, whose age serves as a testament to the religious art that has historically flowed through Malerreka.
• Town centre and civil architecture: A stroll through the streets reveals the solidity of the stone houses with their large doorways and coats of arms. These buildings are not mere decoration, but a reflection of a history tied to the land and the inhabitants’ adaptation to the climate of these mountains.
• Megalithic surroundings: On the outskirts of the municipality, you can visit the Pitxortzar dolmen, a testament to the prehistoric shepherds who inhabited these peaks millennia ago.