Those who want to get to know Zumarraga through its local history will find several different ways to do so: local routes explore crafts, the market and industry; churches and historic buildings tell the story of the town’s architecture and history. There is also the trikitixa and a calendar of recurring events. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the routes’ different themes and the dates of cultural events.
Routes with different themes
The Ruta Natural de Antio-Beloki is an easy route with an elevation gain of 143 metres and a duration of two hours. A stop about basket weaving explains that this craft spread mainly in the Eitzaga neighbourhood and was a very important industry there before metallurgy. The route thus combines a specific time estimate with a glimpse into the history of work in earlier times.
The Ruta Urbana starts at the Azoka. It offers a stroll among the market stalls, where you can get to know products and producers from the surrounding area. By comparison, the Ruta Natural is described in terms of its duration and elevation gain, while the Ruta Urbana focuses on meeting local stallholders, discovering their products and getting to know the producers. The town council also organises free guided routes every year. Check the dates and booking options before your trip.
La Antigua and cultural events
The Ermita de La Antigua was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument on 23 September 1965. It is also the main venue for Antioko Musikaldia, which takes place every Saturday in September. Another regular date is 2 July: on the feast day of Saint Isabel, the Ezpatadantza sword dance is performed at the ermita. For travel planning, this means that the Ezpatadantza is tied to a feast day, while Musikaldia takes place over the Saturdays in September. Check the programme for the relevant year before your trip.
Buildings and local cultural history
Construction of the Church of Santa MarĂa de la AsunciĂłn – La Nueva began in 1576. Jauregi Handia (Casa Legazpi) is rectangular, has four storeys and a gabled roof. Miguel LĂłpez de Legazpi is also part of the town’s history: he was born in Zumarraga and lived there.
Zumarraga is described as the birthplace of the trikitixa. Its origin story links it to a diatonic accordion brought to Zumarraga by an Italian worker during construction of the Madrid–Paris railway. This story and the documented architectural details offer different points of interest for anyone interested in local cultural history: one leads through music and its story of origin, the other through specific architectural forms and dates.
Industrial history and getting there
The Ruta Industrial presents Zumarraga’s more recent history in the context of the intense industrialisation of the Alto Urola region in the 20th century. It highlights the establishment of Esteban Orbegozo in 1930; the company initially operated under the name FumisterĂa del Norte. The route therefore focuses on a different period from the history of the older churches and buildings: it is devoted to the region’s more recent industrial history.
Railway history is also among Zumarraga’s historical themes. This includes the Urola railway station; the town once had as many as three railways and railway stations. This should be distinguished from transport options today: Zumarraga’s railway and bus stations connect the municipality with Gipuzkoa and the rest of Euskadi. For your journey, it is advisable to check the connections for your travel date. The railway’s historical role tells the story of Zumarraga’s past, while the current timetable is what matters for getting there.
A local tradition at the Beloki cross
According to local tradition, you can bring yourself good luck by walking around the Beloki cross three times and ringing the bell. This tradition adds a local story, tied to a particular action and place, to the town’s architectural and industrial history.
Discover more destinations: Aizarna, Zegama, Debabarrena, Aizarnazabal, Oñati, Berastegi, Astigarraga, San Sebastián.
For the broader travel overview: Gipuzkoa.
