GIPUZKOA THE GREEN REGION Euskadi 04 Discover Tolosaldea 08 Tradition and culture 14 Naturaly Taste it... 20 The 28 boroughs around Tolosa make up the region of Tolosaldea within the province of Gipuzkoa, only 25 km from San Sebastian and well communicated via train and road. The region is located within the Aralar Country Park and the Ernio Mountains, where the charm of more than twenty villages of less than 1,000 inhabitants combines with the bustling commerce Accommodation 26 and culture of Tolosa. Tolosaldea offers the visitor a wide variety of activities in harmony with nature, with twenty-five rambling walks signposted, all adapted for the family. Tolosaldea Tour Tourist Information Office offers a complete range of services: booking accommodation, guided tours, walking and rambling routes, information about various scheduled events and activities throughout the Shopping 34 TOLOSALDEA TOUR year and advice on how to get the most out of your stay. Tourist Information Office Andre Maria plaza 1 Discover Tolosaldea! 20400 Tolosa 943 697 413 www.tolosaldea.net [email protected] 02 03 DISCOVER TOLOSALDEA Discover Tolosaldea Guided tours Gastronomy Cultural Tolosaldea offers numerous One of the most characteristic heritage and chances to go on guided tours: and distinguishing features of traditions museums, handicraft workshops, Tolosaldea is its gastronomy. mills and fairs, etc. Beans, cheeses, T-bone steaks, Tolosaldea is a region which INFORMATION: cider, garden produce and sweets, maintains a rich cultural tradition: 943 697 413 etc., share the privilege and language, folklore, Basque sports, www.tolosaldea.net reputation of being of outstanding handicrafts, carnival, fairs and [email protected] quality. Many of these products markets – living cultural activities can be found in the market held which are reflected in day-to-day weekly in Tolosa. The region also life. The historic old boasts excellent restaurants where town of Tolosa the most typical products can be tasted. The historic old town of Tolosa is one of the largest in Gipuzkoa. Bearing in mind the governmental significance the town held for centuries, public buildings abound including two Town halls, the Regional Government Palace, and the Idiakez, Andia, Aramburu and Atodo palaces. In the narrow, winding streets of the old town, there are many such Berastegi buildings that catch the visitor’s eye. The airy atmosphere of and Bidania Tinglado market, built in the 19th valleys Century, does not go unnoticed by many, nor the restored mill On both sides of the central and archaeological park on the corridor of Tolosaldea, bordered banks of the River Oria. by the Sierra de Aralar and the Ernio Massif, you will find valleys that are surprisingly extensive within such a tortuous landscape. Aralar Natural Very easily The Berastegi valley is reached Park accessible by taking the road in Tolosa that leads to Leiza, following what The pointed peak of Mt.Txindoki The history of Tolosaldea is was the main route to Navarre in is probably the most emblematic marked by its strategic location. the 18th century. summit of the extensive range Two of the most important trunk Another area of great scenic that is the Sierra de Aralar, a natu- roads, the N-1 and A-15, pass interest is the Bidania valley, ral park shared between Navarre through the region, forming its which is accessed from the road and Gipuzkoa. At the base of backbone. Tolosa is reached linking Tolosa with Azpeitia. Well Txindoki is the district of Larraitz, in just 15 minutes from the The wonderful natural surroundings, the rich historical and cultural off the beaten track, this valley, which belongs to the parish of provincial capital of Gipuzkoa, situated at a height of 500 metres, Abaltzisketa, whose simple cha- Donostia-San Sebastian, thus heritage, lifelong traditions and customs, its renowned gastronomy and may well afford the views that pel is very popular among hikers. constituting added value for the the nature of its people – these and many other charms will leave with best capture the rural landscape This enclave is easily accessed visitor. of Gipuzkoa. from Alegi on the N-1 trunk you a special reminder of your visit to Tolosaldea. road, along with other pictures- que villages in the area such as 04 Orendain and Altzo. 05 D ISCOVER TOLOSALDEA Abaltzisketa Amezketa Ikaztegieta Alkiza Altzo Amezketa is on the Ibarra A town located in A small municipality Albiztur Divided into two Alkiza occupies a northern side of the Bordered to the the Oria valley, of which is an This village nestles small centres: Altzo Alegia mountainous area Sierra de Aralar. north by the moun- special note is the Larraul archetype mountain in a small valley Muño, nestling in Gaztelu Its lowest part close to the Oria Agriculture and tains of lzaskun parish church of San The village is village. Located on at the foot of Mt. a narrow ravine, The municipality of occupies two valley. Its land cattle raising form Hernialde and to the south Lorenzo. Originally located in the a hill overlooking Ernio (1,073 m.). and Altzo Azpi, Gaztelu is located Irura narrow plains of the extends from the the basic pillars of Elduain It takes its name by Leaburu, it is an dating back to the Oria Medio region the Amezketa Aduna The parish church at the foot of Mt. on the limits of Irura nestles Oria and Amezketa summits of the the local economy. The centre of the from Mt. Ernio appropriate starting 16th century, it was on the side of and Oria valleys. Aduna is perched of Our Lady of Otsabio. Both parts Gipuzkoa, on between Mts. rivers close to the Ernio Massif to the Historically, it has village is situated (1,075 m.) at the point for numerous remodelled in the Mt. Murgil and The municipality on a hill on the Assumption is in offer places for the border with Ernio and Uztu. point where they narrow fertile plain constituted one of on uneven, hilly foot of which strolls and excursio- 17th century. In the close to Asteasu. includes parts of the left bank of the the centre of the strolls accompa- Navarre. Its isolated Located on a small meet, at a height of of Alkizola at only the traditional routes ground. It is it nestles. The ns, either on foot on late Gothic style, The surroundings Aralar Natural Park, Oria river. It has village, a building nied by fine views. location has helped hill, it overlooks a 94 m. The rest of the 200 m above sea used by flocks of surrounded by village, perched on by car. It is also a it also has special contain excellent which is accessed traditionally been a dating from the 17th The oldest records to preserve the picturesque fertile area comprises steep level. The centre of sheep on their mountains such as Mendigain hill, is suitable place from features of the natural beauty spots, via the outlying land of farmhouses century constructed known about Altzo rural structure of plain between hillsides of forest the village forms migration to the Urdelar, Aitzgorri a spot from where where Mt. Uzturre Basque Gothic style. ideal for a day of district of Larraitz and woodland. The over another smaller date back to the the population. It Villabona and and meadow. The a natural balcony pastures of Aralar. and Erroizpe which excellent views may (735 m.) may be It has a modern relaxation or for at the foot of Mt. village is traditional one. beginning of the is a typical Basque Tolosa. The Oria highest point is 575 overlooking the belong to the be enjoyed of Mt. ascended, belonging tower with a belfry going on walks in Txindoki. in appearance, 11th century, on FESTIVITIES: village between river flows through FESTIVITIES: m, in Marea. valley. 24 August: Uzturre syncline. Uzturre. to neighbouring and clock. the area. FESTIVITIES: harking back to 18 July: St. Marina of the occasion of a St. Bartholomew. mountains and is Tolosa. the town from north 24 June: St. John. earlier times. Argisain. FESTIVITIES: FESTIVITIES: donation. 7 October: Festivities in FESTIVITIES: really picturesque. FESTIVITIES: FESTIVITIES: to south. FESTIVITIES: 29 June: St. Peter, 15 August: Assumption 16 July: Our Lady of 15 May: St. Isidore. the Ugarte quarter. 3 May: Holy Cross. 15 August: Assumption FESTIVITIES: 10 August: 3 August: St. Stephen. Larraitz Chapel FESTIVITIES: of Our Lady. Carmen. 24 June: St. John. FESTIVITIES: 11 November: 24 June: St. John. FESTIVITIES: of Our Lady. 24 August: St. Lawrence. FESTIVITIES: 24 August: 1 November: Chapel of 15 August: Assumption 17 November: 14 September: Feast of 8 September: Patron 24 June: St. John. St. Martin. 8 September: Birth of 15 August: Assumption September: St. Bartholomew. 12 October: Our Lady 29 September: St. Bartholomew the Holy Cross of Our Lady. St. Gregory. Holy Christ. Saint’s Day festivities. 31 July: St. Ignatius. Carnival. the Virgin Mary of Our Lady. Gazte Festak. June: Gazte Festak. of the Pillar. St. Michael Archangel. Anoeta Asteasu Baliarrain Belauntza Berastegi Berrobi Bidegoian Leaburu Lizartza Orendain Orexa Tolosa Villabona Zizurkil The Oria River Asteasu is open in A small municipality The village is Berastegi is situated Berrobi The current Txarama The village of From the privileged Orexa is located Founded in the 13th Villabona is located The village of separates it from appearance, above located on a slope perched on the on a flat area at Nestling in the municipality of Leaburu-Txarama is Lizartza is situated position of this in a mountainous century, it used to in the valley of Zizurkil is divided the neighbouring all owing to the that gently descends hillside of Iturregi, 350 m above sea valley of the Bidegoian is the a small municipality on the border municipality may be area at an altitude be the provincial the Oria river after into two clearly municipality of wideness of the from the summits from where views level, in a valley Berastegi river on result of a merging divided into two with neighbouring enjoyed excellent of 421 m.