Lezama offers cultural and historical points of interest ranging from a medieval hermitage to farmhouses with their original layouts preserved, as well as two annual patron-saint festivals. When planning your trip, you can focus on the architecture or choose your dates to coincide with a festival. Examples range from the Late Romanesque church portal to rural architectural styles.
Architecture and Historical Landmarks
The Church of San Martín has a Late Romanesque south portal with four archivolts and a pointed outer arch. Archivolts are receding arch rings that frame a portal; here, four such rings, together with the outer arch, create the distinctive entrance architecture. A reused Romanesque window is also set in the centre of the portico. It comes from a former building that no longer exists, incorporating an older architectural element into the church.
In San Prudencio/Lezama stands the Ermita de San Sebastián de Eranegui, a 15th-century medieval hermitage. It is designated as an area of archaeological interest. Captain Juan Ugarte, born in Lezama in 1601, built the Palacio Larrako. The palace is an example of the architectural transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque.
Protected Farmhouses and Preserved Structures
The Caserío Iruaritz dates from the 15th century and is one of the oldest buildings in the comarca. It is classified as a particularly protected monument and is in good condition. Its original structures and layout have been preserved and restored, including the stable, hayloft and bread oven. These features show how livestock keeping, storage and baking were combined in the traditional layout.
The Caserío Landako and its hayloft are also classified as particularly protected monuments; both have been fully renovated and are in good condition. At Iruaritz, the preserved rooms draw attention to the farmhouse’s former uses, while Landako’s renovation and state of preservation offer a different perspective. Together with the church portal and hermitage, the farmhouses broaden the picture of architectural history to include rural architecture.
Two Patron-Saint Festivals Throughout the Year
The festival of San Prudentzio is celebrated in Lezama on 28 April, and San Martín on 11 November. These two dates give you specific points to consider when planning your trip if you would like to combine your stay with a festival. They offer two distinct focuses: choosing dates around a patron-saint festival, or exploring the architectural history independently of any particular festival date.
Rural Character and Regional Routes
Lezama has a dispersed settlement pattern with the region’s typical farmhouses, and the surrounding landscape is picturesque. The village’s character can therefore be understood through more than its individual protected buildings: its scattered settlement and regional building style are also part of its rural character. Historically, Lezama was close to the crossroads of routes between Castile and the coast, and between the Llanada and the Urcabustaiz area to the north.
The Bideko restaurant is located in a 17th-century farmhouse in the Ayala Valley, adding a culinary point of interest to the architectural themes. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Lezama, the architectural history, rural character and two festival dates can each offer a different basis for choosing when to travel.
Discover more destinations: Araia, Alaiza, Añes, Maturana, Guinea, Izarra, Viñaspre, Villanañe.
For the wider travel overview: Alava.
