Lónguida / Longida

Our territory is defined by the course of the River Irati , whose ancient name, Ida, gave rise to the valley’s name. In this gateway to the Pyrenees, the character of the 25 villages that make up the municipality is revealed amidst alluvial terraces and a landscape that ranges from undulating to rugged. 

It is a scene where stone-built architecture, towers and granaries bear witness to the history of a strategic pass, integrating the modernity of the Itoiz reservoir into a timeline that unfolds to the rhythm of the seasons.

Lónguida general information

The municipality is situated in the district of Sangüesa, comprising 5 local councils —Aós (administrative capital), Artajo, Ecay de Lónguida, Murillo de Lónguida and Villaveta— and 20 inhabited settlements. 

Life in the valley bears the traces of the Roman road and of ancient royal estates granted to squires in the 15th century. The identity of the region is today rooted in a landscape of pine and oak forests where the language and culture coexist harmoniously.

What to see in Lónguida?

The Lónguida valley is full of surprises for those who know how to look beyond the conventional routes.

• Church of the Purification in Villaveta: This building is recognised as an example of rural Romanesque architecture in Navarre. Its façade and capitals display the technique of carved ashlar, blending into the layout of a parish that retains its traditional character.
• Church of San Martín in Ecay de Lónguida: A proto-Gothic building dating from around 1200. Inside, the 14th-century wall paintings, discovered after layers of lime were removed in the 1980s, depict scenes from the life of Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Cristobalón carrying the Child.
• Ekai Armoury Palace: This defensive and residential structure bears witness to the valley’s noble past. Its stone walls stand as a record of the ancient lineages that inhabited this part of the Merindad de Sangüesa.
• The surroundings of the Itoiz reservoir: The construction of the reservoir has reshaped the landscape of the northern part of the municipality. The presence of the water offers new perspectives on the surrounding valleys, where the old villages of Itoiz and Uli Bajo remain deserted under the influence of this engineering feat.
• Architecture of Murillo de Lónguida: The village features a landscape of ashlar-built houses typical of the Navarran mountains. Its streets showcase the use of carved stone in harmony with the landscape overlooking the River Irati.