In Gordejuela, striking buildings meet trails through the valley and its river landscape. Late Gothic and Renaissance towers, a Baroque residential palace and an ensemble of villas offer different ways to explore architectural history. There are also routes that connect cultural heritage with nature. When looking for accommodation in Gordejuela, you can decide whether architecture, a stage of the GR 123 long-distance trail, or paths through the valley floodplain should shape your stay.
Towers, Palaces and Villas
The Torre de Oxirando dates from the end of the 15th century. Its Late Gothic building has a square floor plan and three storeys. The Torre de Largatxa is Gothic-Renaissance in style and was built in the early years of the 16th century, that is, after 1500. The Torre Ybargoen dates approximately to the 16th century; its cubic structure now has four storeys. These details make the differences clear: Oxirando is described by its floor plan and layout, while Ybargoen stands out for its cubic form and four storeys. Largatxa, in turn, represents a blend of Gothic and Renaissance design.
The Torre de Urtusaustegi can also be understood through its form and location. It is described as the lowest tower of its kind in the region and stands on the right bank of the Zaldu River, in the middle of its valley floodplain. A farmhouse was apparently added to its main façade in the 17th century. The Palacio Puente Palacio offers a different emphasis: it is an 18th-century Baroque residential palace with a rectangular floor plan measuring nearly 400 m².
At Villa Cuba, building phases come together with the garden. It was built in 1885 and completely remodelled in 1931 by the architect JosĂ© MarĂa de Basterra. In his interpretation of Neo-Baroque style, he combined Baroque and Renaissance references. The estate includes a garden with a pergola and a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. There are also fifteen villas along Calle Sandamendi, built by people who returned from the Americas. As a bourgeois residential ensemble, the street stands out for the quality and variety of its architecture.
The Church of San Juan de Molinar is recognised as a monument of Bizkaia. Its Baroque main altarpiece depicts angels and Saint John the Evangelist; there is also a Gothic image of Our Lady of Isasi. Various concerts are held in the church at Christmas and at other times of the year. If you would like to plan your trip around a concert, check the specific event dates before making your plans.
Routes between Sandamendi and the River Floodplain
Calle Sandamendi is also relevant to the third stage of the GR 123: the route reaches its endpoint at Plaza Molinar in Gordexola via this street. If you want to include a clearly defined stage in your trip, you can use this endpoint as a reference. In addition, the guide “Rutas saludables de Gordexola” presents four routes for experiencing the natural and cultural heritage outdoors.
One of these routes follows a distinctive course: the ENK08 Gordexola: Molinar–Ugarte route runs through the HerrerĂas River floodplain between Molinar and Ugarte. It crosses the river at Zubiete and Zubietatorre. This gives you two different points of reference when comparing the routes: the stage endpoint at Plaza Molinar on the GR 123, and the route through a river floodplain on ENK08. After the first bridge in Gordexola, you can also visit the Zubiete complex, which consists of a defensive tower and a palace.
Another landmark is at the entrance to the Gordexola valley, when arriving from Sodupe: the 19th-century Palacio Ubieta stands there. The Torre de Urtusaustegi, in turn, links architectural history with the landscape along the Zaldu. These differences help you consider cultural stops and trails as distinct points of interest, rather than combining them into a single route.
Other Experiences and Getting There
A visit to Laugar Brewery’s brewing facilities includes an introduction to the production of the beers brewed there. If you plan to include this activity, check before travelling whether visits are currently possible.
Bizkaibus routes A3341, A3342 and A3343 are listed for travel to Gordexola. Check the current timetable before travelling, as transport details may change. Together with the routes and buildings, this provides a practical basis for choosing whether to focus your stay on architecture, cultural events or trails in the valley.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Sandamendi, Bermeo, Garai, Larrabetzu, Bakio, Barakaldo, Sopuerta, Arakaldo.
For the broader travel overview: Bizkaia.
