Iturmendi lies on the Araquil River between the Sierra de Urbasa and the Sierra de Aralar. Several themes come together here when planning a stay: Romanesque architecture, historic inscriptions, trails connected with culture and nature, and an annual May festival. You can focus on the built heritage in the town or explore the trail connections around Aitzaga and Bernoa. The different themes can be considered individually; they do not form a set visiting itinerary.

Buildings, inscriptions and the May festival

The hermitage of Aitzaga is a 12th-century Romanesque building that retains its original portal. The parish church of San Miguel dates from the 17th and 18th centuries; its main altar is dated 1740. These dates provide two distinct historical points of reference: Aitzaga represents Romanesque architecture, while San Miguel, with its dated altar, introduces a later period.

The house of Kurtederia also brings together architectural history and language. Its coat of arms is dated 1706 and bears one of the oldest surviving inscriptions in Basque in Navarre. Several stone and wooden manor houses from the 18th century add to the town’s built heritage. Together, these examples offer more than a single perspective on the town’s history: they range from a Romanesque portal and a dated altar to coats of arms, inscriptions and houses from different centuries.

The Fuente del Águila Negra, or Black Eagle Fountain, built in 1767, stands in the village square. The square is also the setting for the annual May Festival, Día del Mayo. On 1 May, a maypole about 20 metres tall is erected in the middle of the village square. The fountain is a permanent historic structure; the May festival is a recurring event held on a specific date. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.

Trails between the town centre and Aitzaga

The Way of the Cross in Iturmendi runs between the town centre and Aitzaga. It includes stone crosses with historic inscriptions in Basque. The stone crosses bear historic inscriptions in Basque; the hermitage of Aitzaga has a Romanesque portal. If you are particularly interested in Basque writing, you can look at these two distinct examples; Aitzaga also offers a connection to 12th-century architectural history.

Another hiking route is the GR 323 Bernoa, a cultural and nature trail in the heart of Sakana. It comprises 64 kilometres of marked hiking trails. One branch of the Bernoa Trail passes through Etxarri-Aranatz and Bakaiku and meets the Bernoa cart track in the Aizkibel-Mandabita area of Iturmendi. Check the latest trail information before setting out.

Getting to Iturmendi

Iturmendi can be reached by the Pamplona–Vitoria-Gasteiz bus route. Check the current timetable with the operator before travelling. For road access, Iturmendi is served by the N-240-A national road and the Autovía de la Barranca. The bus route and roads are different options for getting there; checking the timetable will help you confirm the bus connection for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: San Adrián, Barillas, Miranda De Arga, Arbizu, Fontellas, Milagro, Arantza, Tiebas-Muruarte de Reta

Go to the main travel overview: Navarre.