ENGLISH 02

Oarsoaldea Regional Tourist Office

Aialde, 2 20180 Tel.: 943 494 521 Fax: 943 494 614 [email protected]

Errenteria Tourist Office

Public Library Madalen, 27 20100 Tel: 943 449 638 Fax: 943 449 648 [email protected]

Pasaia Tourist Office

Victor Hugo House Donibane, 63 20110 Pasai Donibane Tel.: 943 341 556 Fax: 943 341 777 turismo.@oarsoaldea.net www.victorhugopasaia.net www.oarsoaldea-turismo.net 03 contents

Oarsoaldea Area 05

Errenteria 07

Lezo 09

Oiartzun 11

Pasaia 13

Regional Map 15

Nature 17

Museums 19

Guided Tours 21

Leisure Activities 23

Fiestas and Traditions 25

Gastronomy and Accommodation 27 04

At the foot of Aiako Harria, looking out towards the sea through the Pasaia Bay, under the protection of the great towers of and San Marko Fort, stands the Oarsoaldea area, half-way between San Sebastian and the Txingudi’s Bay.

Four villages on the banks of the river Oiartzun: Errenteria, Lezo, Oiartzun and Pasaia form this Region faithful to its traditions and open to the four winds blowing in from other parts.

Bordeaux La Magdalena Hermitage - Errenteria Hendaia Biarritz OARSOALDEA

Donostia San Sebastián LEZO PASAIA

N-1 ERRENTERIA A-8 OIARTZUN OARSOALDEA

Oarsoaldea, rich and varied, is a town where sailors and fishermen, farmers and industrial worker meet. And this relationship is reflected in the blue and green of the unspoiled landscape, with its fine local cuisine, where the fruits of the earth and of the sea find their greatest expression in our kitchens. Aiako Harria - Oiartzun oarsoaldea area 05 Historic Quarter - Lezo asai Donibane P Historic Quarter - 06

Errenteria, a vibrant modern town, where the smoke from the old factories which once led it to be called the “Little Manchester” have given way to gardens, avenues and promenades.

Errenteria, open to the world, whose historical centre, listed as a Monumental Complex, contains features dating back to the Middle Ages, and where the Morrontxo Tower House, the ancestral Iturriza House, the churches, the street-plan and the bustle of the shops are a reminder of times past.

Historic Quarter Añarbe Reservoir Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Parish Church 07 medieval errenteria

San Marko Fort

Dominated by countryside, the entrance to which is protected by San Marcos Fort, natural viewpoint over the Oarsoaldea Region, Errenteria takes us along its 40km of paths to the Caves of Aitzpitarte, the oldest human remains in the Oarsoaldea Region, corresponding to the Upper Palaeolithic era, the Añarbe reservoir and woods and the Fanderia Mill, among others.

Bidegorri - Green Way/Foot and Cycle Path 08

Santo Cristo Square armhouse F miraculous lezo 09

Next to the Bay of Pasaia and sitting at the foot of Mount Jaizkibel is Lezo University. In its old quarter stands the serene Basilica of the Santo Cristo, famous since days gone by for its beardless Christ, showing us the simplicity and good taste of a people in direct contact with its past. This Basilica is guarded by small streets with emblazoned, semi-detached, squarely built houses. You’ll feel obliged to stop and take a closer look as you stroll along them.

Mount Jaizkibel, highest mount on the , with its two-coloured view –the green of nature and blue of the sea– is the perfect choice for all tourists making their way to the nearby Hondarribia.

Mount Jaizkibel Historic Quarter 10

Oiartzun is a natural community, just like the people, the mountains and the valleys that populate it. Oiartzun, closely related to the ancient Roman settlement of Oiarso, is the birthplace of the river Oiartzun running through the Oarsoaldea Region.

Protected by Aiako Harria, an imposing granite giant marking the start of the from the Atlantic side, Oiartzun is a people proudly faithful to its customs that lives in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.

Oiartzun reconciles man with nature, awakening his senses by pleasing his sight with its scenery, his taste with delicious food, his touch with the warmth of the people, his smell with the scents of nature and his hearing with the singing of the birds.

Aiako Harria natural oiartzun 11

Arditurri Mine Land

One way to enjoy Oiartzun is to wander through its old part with the Parish Church of San Esteban de Lartaun, the 16th Century Basilica of San Juan Bautista and the 17th Century Town Hall, or to follow the “Arditurriko Bidegorria” path leading to Errenteria, only open to pedestrians and cyclists. This route guiding us through varied landscape is a great option for getting away and relaxing, even taking us to several peculiar museums: Luberri-Geological Interpretation Centre, Herri Musikaren Txokoa-Popular Music Centre and Arditurri Mine Land, where we will discover the richness of Aiako Harria Nature Park.

Bidegorri - Green Way/Foot and Cycle Path Historic Quarter 12

Pasaia rises out of the sea, from its harbour. Its magnificent location, in one of the only natural fiords on the Basque coast, adds to its charm, keeping all its maritime flavour in the four districts which meet in the waters of the Bay: Pasai Donibane, Pasai San Pedro, Trintxerpe and Pasai Antxo.

Pasaia has a savour of salt and sea: maritime culture permeates the entire town. Every corner is an adventure: the old fishermen's houses, the traditional Ontziola shipyard, the churches and the cemetery, the Platain House, the Arizabalo Palace and the Rowing Clubs are mute witnesses whose praises have been sung by such illustrious visitors as the French writer Victor Hugo, the Marquis of Lafayette or the German philosopher Humboldt. And Pasaia has also produced its own illustrious sons and daughters - people like the Ferrer brothers or Blas de Lezo.

The Bay of Pasaia asai Donibane P edro P asai San P seafaring pasaia 13

Ontziola - Traditional Shipyard

River Mouth Jaizkibel 545m

GI-3440 1 Matxintxola 1 320m Ardalakuntza Irun

2 Gaintxurizketa Hondarribia Ulia 2 4 N-1 201m Ipintza 3 Pasai Donibane CR Pasai San Pedro 6 4 7 8 9 7 Lezo 1 Trintxerpe GI-2638 H N-1 Pasaia 1 Donostia Altamira 2 A-8 H 6 Pasai Antxo GI-3632 2 4

1 Larzabal H A-8 Arragua Gurutze Donostia GI-2134 GI-2134 Oiartzun San Sebastián Errenteria 3 San Marko H GI-3454 3 279m Irun

2 GI-3672

GI-3671 3 Altzibar Ugaldetxo Txoritokieta Zamalbide Ergoien 312m 3 4 Txiki-Erdi GI-2132 Iturriotz 1 GI-2132 5 CR 2 1 1 Lesaka GI-3420 2 3 4 Karrika CR 5 4

2 CR ArtikutzaGI-3631

AIAKO HARRIA

Igoin Aldura 454m 542m interpreting the 15 pictograms

Tourist Summer Historical Quarter St. James’ Way Potholing Office Information 1 Point Coastal Road Car Park Lighthouse 2 Mine Inland Road 1 Airport La Plata Lighthouse Saint James’ Way’s Climbing Friend’s Association 2 Train Senokozuloa Cave Hand-gliding Irun Hondarribia Underground Panoramic Viewpoint Summit Function Room 2 Port Recreation Area Megalithic Monuments Beach

Telephone Information Point “Cicerone” Hikking Nature Park

accommodation

1 Oliden 1 Añarre Zarra 7 Zurgiarre H Hotel (Oiartzun) (Errenteria) (Lezo)

1 2 Usategieta**** Hostel Arkale-Zahar H (Oiartzun) CR Rural B&B 1 Arritxulo (Oiartzun) 2 Mountain Shelter 3 1 Lintzirin*** (Oiartzun) Erretegi Haundi Aitzarri H (Oiartzun) 2 (Oiartzun) CR (Oiartzun) Arrokaundieta (Pasai Donibane) Elurretxe 3 Elizalde* 4 JuanMartindegi 2 Aroxkene 3 Pikoketa 505m H (Oiartzun) Belabaratz (Lezo) CR (Oiartzun) (Errenteria) 4 5 3 Gurutze Berri* 4 Larre-Aundi Endara H (Oiartzun) Santa Ana (Pilgrim Hostel) (Errenteria) CR (Lezo) (Pasai Donibane) 6 Peluaga 4 Iragorri Campsite Farm B&B (Oiartzun) CR (Oiartzun) Aiako Harria 838m tourist resources

Arditurri 7 Sport Ontziola - Traditional 5 Material Hire Strategy Games Shipyard 6 (Pasaia) Oiantzabal Sherpa 8 (Oiartzun) (Errenteria) Jaizkiball Paintball Planetarium (Pasaia) (Pasaia) Mountain Bike Routes Canoe Hire 9 and Bicycle Hire Museums Mater Bonito Fishing Boat (Pasaia) Mountain-Bike Pasaia Kayak Eskola 1 (Pasaia) Fanderia Mill Pasaia School (Errenteria) Home-made Products (Pasaia) 1 Motorboat Service Aritxulegi Environment School 2 Añarre Zarra San Marko Fort (Errenteria) 503m 1 (Errenteria) Hnos. Berrotarán Itsas Gela (Pasaia) (Pasaia) 2 3 Eguzki-Borda H.M. - Traditional (Errenteria) Thermal Baths Music Centre Sports Centre Skippered Yacht (Oiartzun) Elorsoro Trips 4 3 (Oiartzun) Galtzata Jaizkibel Itsasketa S.L. Luberri - Geological (Oiartzun) Leisure Navigation Interpretation Centre Balloon Trips School (Oiartzun) Aerostation Soka (Oiartzun) 5 4 (Pasaia) Arditurri Mine Land Larretxiki Horse-Riding (Oiartzun) (Errenteria) Diving 6 5 Listorreta Victor Hugo House Oiantzabal Buceo Donosti (Errenteria) (Pasaia) (Oiartzun) (Pasaia) 16

Immerse yourself in nature in Oarsoaldea: our mountains have well-signposted paths and information panels for hiking, trekking, abseiling, mountain-bike rides, etc.

Ulia / Jaizkibel - Pasaia Cromlech of Oieleku - Oiartzun 17 nature

90% of Oarsoaldea Land Area is a green space. Some of the best locations for a day out in harmony with nature include the Aiako Harria Nature Park, Lau Haizeta Park, the Mount Jaizkibel and the Mount Ulia.

Likewise, the Oarsoaldea Area has a cycling network and walking routes to discover the landscape from a different perspective. The Saint Jame’s way takes place too in Oarsoaldea, the Coastal Road and the Indland Road. Anyway, there are many approved hiking routes to enjoy the nature in its pure condition.

Mount Jaizkibel - Lezo ath - Errenteria oot and Cycle P ay/ F Bidegorri - Green W 18

Ontziola - Research Centre and Construction of Traditional Boats: This is a traditional shipyard where the Basque shipbuilding tradition is kept alive. Amidst the smell of oak, hemp and pitch, visitors can see the carpenters faithfully following techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation, as they build a replica of an old boat.

Victor Hugo House: The three-storey Victor Hugo house Mater Bonito Fishing Boat contains a Tourist Office , a Museum Hall with the permanent exhibition “Victor Hugo, travelling down the memory” and an exhibition hall. Throughout the year,a number of travelling exhibitions are staged.

Mater Bonito Fishing Boat: Visiting the MATER you will obtain information of how our fishermen live, where do they go for the fishing-grounds and which arts they use. Take a guided tour in the ship and you will glimpse a part of our maritime history and its evolution up to the present.

HM - Traditional Music Centre San Marko Fort Ontziola - Traditional Shipyard Luberri museums 19

Herri Musikaren Txokoa - Traditional Music Centre: Folk Music Exhibition and Document Centre, with collection of musical instruments, library, music library, workshop and multi-purpose hall.

Luberri - Geological Interpretation Centre: Oiartzun Geological Interpretation Centre, which contains two theme rooms: Geological History of the Basque Country and Geology of the Oiartzun Valley.

Arditurri Mine Land (Photo: Oskar Zapirain) Arditurri Mine Land: This mining galleries that have been worked since 2000 years are placed in the incomparable frame of the Aiako Harria Nature Park. Going deep its mining gallerys and visiting its Interpretation Centre is a perfect combination with a walk by this natural environment.

Fanderia Mill: This museum contains the old grain mill, which has been restored and is in operation. There is also a chance to see the building's original activity: the old municipal forge of Errenteriola dating from before 1476, as well as its other subsequent uses.

Fanderia Mill San Marko Fort: This fort reveals its former military, giving the visitor a sense of Oarsoaldea region and how a strategic enclave can offer so many spectacular landscapes. Walk along its posterns, batteries and caponiers and ascend to the terrace with the Panoramic Lift.

Planetarium: The first Planetarium in created in 1968. Seating capacity: 40 people. The perfect place in which to sky and stargaze. Victor Hugo House Planetarium 20

GUIDED TOURS

In the Bay of Pasaia 30 min. - 1’30h

In Natural Environments 1h’30h - 8h

Museums 1h - 4h

Educational Visits and Marine 1h or more Workshops

Guided Tours to Natural Areas Guided Tours around the Bay Guided of Tours Pasaia guided tours 21

Guided Tour around Arditurri Mine Land - Oiartzun Educational Visits and Marine Workshops 22

The Oarsoaldea area is an ideal place for practising sport and other leisure-time activities. If you're interested in new experiences, extreme sports, or simply want to enjoy some relaxed recreation, there are many companies which can offer a range of alternatives:

Ride on horseback through quiet green spots. Take part in adventure and extreme sports. Go canoeing. Take a trip in a balloon. Rent bicycles and practise mountain-biking. Enjoy skippered yacht trips. Relax in warm water. Tour towns and countryside with a guide. Discover the sea, culture, sport and the science of the sea. Rental of equipment for rock climbing, mountaineering, diving, among others. 23 leisure activities 24

Oarsoaldea is a lively area, as its many fiestas and year-round cultural events attest.

The area has one of the most varied, interesting and entertaining calendars of festivals in the region. Certanly, it´s one of the best ways of knowing the true character of Oarsoaldea.

Some of the most important activities in Oarsoaldea include; Local fiestas of the four .

Errenteria

25 April San Marko Day. Procession. First weekend in May Basque Craft Fair. Popular Sports Popular Third week in May Musikaste-Music week devoted to Basque classical composers. 22 July Madalenas Fiesta Middle September Lezo Middle Age Fair.

Carnivals [Mardi Gras] Trapujale is a mythical figure created at a time of famine. He is a cross between a man, a horse and a cow and is covered in cloths. 23 May Pentecostes Fiesta. 23 June San Juan Bonfire. 14 September Santa Cruz Fiesta. 21 December

Santo Tomas Fiesta. Dances Traditional 25 fiestas and traditions

Oiartzun

Carnivals [Mardi Gras] "The arrival of the Intxisus” (mythical Basque figures) is held on the Saturday of Shrovetide. Last Saturday in May Cider Day. First Weekend in June Basque oral poems Week. 3 August San Esteban Fiesta. November Popular Music Journeys. Carnivals

Pasaia Easter Procession of the "Christ of the Holy Burial", on Good Friday at dusk, when the street in Pasai Donibane is lit with candles. 29 June San Pedro Fiesta. Pasai San Pedro. 7 July San Fermin Fiesta. Pasai Antxo. 16 July Carmen Fiesta. Trintxerpe. 25 - 31 July Santiago Fiesta Race between “” rowing boats for the Pasaia Pennat. Pasai Donibane. October - November “Ikuska” Short Film Festival.

Trainera, small fishing boat (Photo lended by Oarsoaldeko Hitza) Trainera, Humour theatre journeys. 26 gastronomy and accommodation

Basque cuisine enjoys an envia- ble reputation. In Oarsoaldea we take the greatest of care over our cooking. The freshest products of land and sea, carefully prepared, are an excellent excuse for a stop along the way.

Oarsoaldea, a taste of tradition, local delicacies:

• Masterpieces in miniature. • New Basque Cuisine, with restaurants with Michelin Stars. • Traditional Cuisine. • Cider houses. • Fresh from the sea.

Moreover, it is possible to buy farm house products in some of the country houses of Oarsoaldea, like label sheep cheese. 27

The Oarsoaldea Area has a wide range of accommodation at excellent value.

Visitors can choose from a wide range of establishment to match every purse and every requirement: homely bed-and-breakfasts in a rural setting ("agroturismos" and "casas rurales"); hotels of up to four stars; campsites and three municipal hostels in Arrokaundieta, Arritxulo and Belabaratz.

They are all fitted out with good comfortable facilities and the visitor can be sure of a pleasant stay. PASAIA LEZO

ERRENTERIA

OIARTZUN

Oarsoaldea Errenteria Lezo Oiartzun Pasaia geroa ereiten creando futuro

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