Altsasu / Alsasua

Here, where the mountains and the ironworks seem to converse with the wind, time slips by amongst beech woods and ancient stones. As you wander through this village, you sense the quiet strength of the farmhouses that have witnessed trains and everyday life, whilst the forests guard the landscape of the Burunda Valley. In Altsasu/Alsasua, history and daily life intertwine, revealing the identity of the mountains and the subtle rhythm of the transport links that criss-cross this area.

Altsasu/Alsasua general information

This village stands at 526 metres above sea level on the western edge of the Barranca, acting as a strategic point between Navarre, Gipuzkoa and Álava. The rivers Araquil and Altzania wind their way through the valley, surrounded by the forests of Urbasa to the south and Altzania to the north. The sub-Atlantic climate, with frequent rainfall, sustains a landscape where three-quarters of the territory is covered in beech and oak trees.
Altsasu holds a history of resistance and transformation. Tradition recalls Altsasu/Alsasua as the cradle of the Navarrese monarchy with the coronation of García Jiménez in the chapel of San Pedro. After centuries of feudal rule and border conflicts, the arrival of the railway in 1864 and industrialisation transformed our town, earning us the title of “Muy Ilustre Villa” in 1907. Today, it forms part of the Basque-speaking region, preserving the Basque language as a living thread of daily culture.

What to see in Altsasu/Alsasua?

Altsasu is not explored in a straight line, but in layers, because every step reveals a different era.

• Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption: A 16th-century building whose stonework and height dominate the town, guardians of the valley’s faith.
• Chapel of San Pedro: On the border with Urdiain, amongst oak groves, it marks the spot where legend places the coronation of the first King of Navarre.
• Chapel of Santo Cristo de Otadia: A square building next to the cemetery, where the transition of styles can be seen in every stone.
• Chapels of San Juan Bautista and Nuestra Señora de Erkuden: Remains of ancient abandoned settlements offering panoramic views of Altzania and the route to San Sebastián.
• Town Hall: Designed by José Lizardi in 1760. It features a façade with a three-arched arkupe and a carved coat of arms, a symbol of its civic importance.
• Megalithic heritage: In Altsasu/Alsasua you can find dolmens such as Balankaleku and Munaan, true guardians of ancient human traces.
• The Alsasua walnut tree: A sculpture in the Plaza de los Fueros, a symbol of the community’s roots.