Uriz brings together striking historic buildings and a setting by the Urrobi River. The towers, the Church of San Saturnino and features of the main street provide tangible points of reference for the town’s history; fields and woodland shape the surrounding landscape. For walks, two similarly named routes can be distinguished by their destinations and trail conditions.
The townscape by the Urrobi
Uriz lies on a plain at an altitude of 625 metres, on the banks of the Urrobi River. The surrounding area includes cereal fields and woodland with pine and oak trees. Two palace towers rise above the houses, and together with the church tower they shape the skyline. The main street also retains distinctive details of the historic noble houses: portals with pointed arches and paired windows. The paired windows are arranged in twos. These features along the main street add a finer architectural layer to the towers that stand out in the townscape.
Towers and history
Uriz is considered the birthplace of the knightly lineage named after the town, which rendered important services to the Navarrese monarchy in the 13th and 14th centuries. The two historic towers are square structures dating from the 13th and 15th centuries, respectively. Both share a square shape, but date from different periods. The towers also bear the coats of arms of the Uriz lineage and the valley’s merino.
San Saturnino: several building periods
The Church of San Saturnino adds another period to this picture. It originated in the 12th-century Romanesque period and was altered in the 16th century. Its medieval tower is considered one of the largest in the valley. The church also contains a 13th-century Gothic depiction of the Virgin and Child. The same building thus brings together a Romanesque origin, a later alteration and a Gothic work of art from another period.
Walking routes with different highlights
When planning a walk, it is worth distinguishing between two similarly named routes. The Calzada romana de Arce-Artzibar route leads to the Urrobi River and Uriz, where walkers can see well-maintained fortified tower houses. Conditions on this route may vary locally, so it is advisable to check trail conditions before setting out. The La Calzada Romana del Pirineo walking route is marked in purple and white. It has no steep climbs for almost its entire length, making it suitable for family walks. The information therefore differs according to the planning question: the Calzada romana de Arce-Artzibar focuses on the destination and fortified tower houses, while La Calzada Romana del Pirineo focuses on its markings, gradients and suitability for families. Here too, check current trail conditions before your walk.
Meals at Hotel Rural de Ăšriz
Hotel Rural de Ăšriz serves only breakfast and dinner, both exclusively for guests. For its cuisine, the hotel uses products from small producers in the valley as well as regional products from a short supply chain, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.
For the broader travel overview: Arce.
