Zilbeti

In the hollow formed by the Adi, Tiratun and Arzabal mountains, the forest envelops time until it becomes almost imperceptible. In Zilbeti, the atmosphere drifts between the dampness of the beech forest and the gloom of the streams, as if every step were taken upon a story barely told. It is a land where the ‘ ’ nature ‘ ’ preserves the past: in the shade of the trees, in the murmur of the water, in the intuition of those who have traversed this valley since ancient times.

Zilbeti general information

Zilbeti is a parish in the Erro Valley , situated at an altitude of 729 metres in a secluded hollow beside the stream that bears its name. The village grew up around a history linked to royal fiefdom, documented as early as 1280, and a spiritual dimension that connected it from an early stage to the Hospital of Roncesvalles . The church of Santa María was the seat of one of its commanderies in the 12th century, leaving a discreet yet enduring mark on the area. Today, with 48 inhabitants, life goes on in a calm, lived-in atmosphere: the hamlet, which developed largely during the 19th century, coexists with the surrounding forest, whilst the village maintains its balance between rural tradition and a serene welcome to visitors.

What to see in Zilbeti?

In Zilbeti, the landscape and history unfold like layers of a single memory.  

• Remains of the Monastery of San Zacarías: 12th- and 13th-century ruins that reflect the mystical significance of the site. It is also known as the Monastery of La Ordena.
• Romanesque doorway: A Romanesque-style doorway is preserved, embedded in a private house in the town centre, likely a remnant of the site’s original medieval church.
• Zilbeti Beech Forest: An area of high ecological value comprising more than 85,000 trees. It is a priority Special Area of Conservation for Europe, where the forest provides refuge for endangered species such as the white-backed woodpecker.