A historical tour of Ignatius Country

This region offers a unique opportunity to discover the different ways in which humankind has made use of natural elements to shelter, live, learn, meditate and work.

It is the history of St Ignatius of Loyola and of some spectacular churches. It is a land of iron, stone and fire; it is the landscape that Oteiza and Chillida helped to model, and it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Two rivers and two valleys delimit Ignatius Country: the Deba to the west and the Urola to the east. Throughout history, these two river systems have witnessed Gipuzkoans' creative talent for art, work and spirituality. We recommend taking a tour of the two valleys, travelling up the Urola and down to the into the Deba, taking in spots such as the Sanctuary of Loyola, Arantzazu, the Frontones of Oteiza and the caves of Oñati-Arrikrutz, among others.