A tour of the architectural heritage of the Alava Mountains - arabaturismo

The Alava Mountains not only boast spectacular natural landscapes and a unique mining heritage, but also a valuable architectural heritage that stands among mountains and paths, bearing witness to centuries of history. Churches, walls, palaces, and popular symbols make up a legacy that deserves to be admired.

Churches with character and memory

Each village in the Alava Mountains has its own church reflecting its history, traditions, and community. In Maeztu, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción stands at the top of the town center. Of medieval origin, although renovated several times over the centuries, it houses Baroque elements inside. Another very representative feature of this church is its famous flycatcher, which moves its arm when the hours strike.

In Korres, the 16th-century parish church dedicated to San Esteban crowns the village. Its portico was built in 1712. The façade is Renaissance in style and has a semicircular arch with moldings. Despite its simple exterior, the building surprises visitors with the richness of its altarpieces and decorative details inside.

Antoñana, with its wall, has the church of San Vicente Mártir. It is one of the most outstanding buildings in the area. With a Latin cross plan and an octagonal apse, it is impressive for its ten pilasters decorated with garlands and the vaults covering the four sections. Its interior portico, dating from the late 18th century, has five semicircular arches in ashlar stone, while the south door is in the neoclassical style. The slender square tower is also in this style, with Tuscan columns, flame-shaped decorations, and an elegant ovoid dome. The Rococo altarpiece is the work of Manuel de Moraza and is presided over by a carving of Saint Vincent Martyr, accompanied by Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and a Calvary crowned by the Holy Spirit. Also noteworthy is the seated image of Our Lady of the Field, from the 12th century, and several side altars dedicated to saints and virgins, as well as two valuable Baroque canvases attributed to Cornelio Schut.

And finally, in Atauri, the church of La Asunción de Nuestra Señora combines medieval and Renaissance elements. Its rectangular base preserves a 13th-century doorway with a pointed arch and a nave with 16th-century elements such as the apse and vaults decorated with religious symbols. Inside, there is a 17th-century walnut altarpiece, donated by the residents, presided over by a Baroque image of the Assumption and flanked by carvings of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Lucy, and Saint Sebastian.

The medieval wall of Antoñana

The village of Antoñana preserves visible remains of its ancient medieval wall, declared a National Monument of the Basque Country. Walking through the village is like walking through a town that has retained its defensive spirit, with gateways, narrow streets, and a layout that recalls its strategic importance centuries ago.

The Samaniego Palace: rural nobility in Maeztu

Located in the heart of Maeztu, the Samaniego Palace is a stately building that speaks of the area's noble past. Its ashlar façade, representative coat of arms, and imposing proportions make it an exceptional example of 17th-century civil architecture in the Alava Mountains.

The Handkerchief Cross, a sign of tradition

On the outskirts of Maeztu, next to the road to Vitoria-Gasteiz, stands a stone cross known as the Handkerchief Cross. It is a replica of a traditional cross where, since ancient times, prayers have been said to ask for good harvests. Every first Saturday in May, a pilgrimage is made to this spot, where young women of marriageable age embroider a handkerchief with symbols of the Passion and hang it on the cross. This custom combines the spiritual, the agricultural, and the communal.

A legacy that lives on

The Alava Mountains are not just explored on foot: they are experienced with the eyes, the memory, and the emotions. Its architectural heritage is not just a backdrop, but a story built in stone, passed down from generation to generation. The churches, walls, palaces, and monuments invite us to look closely and understand that every stone, every coat of arms, and every bell tower holds a story that deserves to be told.

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