Arraioz combines striking defensive architecture with a Basque pelota tradition that has survived to this day. The Palacio de Jauregizahar retains the appearance of a medieval defensive tower, and there is a Laxoa court next to the church. The town also has a Baroque church and two recurring events throughout the year. If you would like to plan your stay around architectural heritage and local customs, the town offers several specific points of interest.

Palaces and towers in Arraioz

The N-121-B runs through Arraioz. The Torre de Zubiria is located in the Mardea district. The architectural styles also shape the townscape, combining the defensive character of the towers with the scale of the farmhouses typical of Baztan. Arraioz can therefore be characterised not only by individual buildings, but also by the contrast between its towers and traditional farmhouses.

The Palacio de Jauregizahar retains the original appearance of a medieval defensive tower. A well-preserved, visible wooden structure sits above two stone sections, and a square dovecote crowns the building. The stone, wooden structure and dovecote describe different aspects of the same building: its defensive tower form and distinctive architectural details.

The Torre de Zubiria is different in character: it is a Gothic building dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Two arrow slits bear witness to its former defensive function. Another point of interest is the Palacio Jauregia de Vicuña, regarded as the oldest palace in Arraioz. The buildings thus differ in their specific features: Jauregizahar retains the appearance of a medieval defensive tower, Zubiria has Gothic forms and arrow slits, and Vicuña is the oldest palace in the town.

Church and Laxoa

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a Baroque building with Neoclassical altarpieces. Its atrium is surrounded by a portico and contains gravestones. The church garden also has disc-shaped funerary stelae. The church brings together different aspects of local architecture and funerary culture: the design of the church building, the gravestones in the atrium and the stelae in the garden.

Next to the church in Arraioz is a preserved Laxoa court with a grass surface. This court is where you can see the oldest form of Basque pelota still played today. This sporting heritage adds a different cultural focus to the buildings. For travellers interested in Basque traditions, Laxoa is another point of interest alongside the palaces and church.

Traditions throughout the year

In May, Arraioz holds the “Erreginak eta saratsak” ceremony. Five or six girls gather and choose that year’s queen. The ceremony gives the tradition a clear local connection; if you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, check the dates before you travel.

Arraioz’s patron saint festivals are celebrated on the first Sunday in September. This means there are two recurring events in different months: the ceremony in May and the patron saint festivals in September. Check the current festival programme before travelling. Together with the historic buildings and Laxoa court, these events give the town a cultural profile encompassing both architectural history and ongoing traditions.

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For the main travel overview: Navarra.