Tourism destinations
Towns
Located on the banks of the river Deba within the Bajo Deba region, Soraluze-Placencia de Las Armas is a town with a great weapon tradition. Four neighbourhoods -Txurruka, Ezozia, San Andrés and Irure- and a main urban centre settled around the river encompass part of the steep slopes surrounding the area.
The urban area is situated between mountains, and it is home to some interesting buildings such as the parish church of Santa María de La Real, which dates back to the 13th century. Its wooden porch combines baroque and renaissance elements. The baroque-style Town Hall, the Arregigaraikua, Saloguenekua, Ormaetxea, Jáuregui and Torrea towerhouses are buildings also worth mentioning.
On the outskirts of the urban area among different hermitages we will highlight the one devoted to the virgin of Ezozi, whose interior is a replica of the parish church.
The route of the Dolmens
As we have mentioned before, the landscape is very mountainous and beautiful precipitous spots and country houses and hermitages surround it. Nature lovers will enjoy fresh air and the peaceful atmosphere going for a walk in the surroundings. Karakate (749m), Atxolin (841m) and Irukurutzeta (899m) mountains are considered one of the Basque Autonomous Region's best viewpoints since they afford a superb view of the sea, as well as mountains such as Anboto, Gorbeia and Oiz.
The brilliant palaeontologist José Miguel Barandiarán named these summits "La ruta de los Dólmenes" (the route of the Dolmens), which is a remarkable place due to its dolmens and tumulus spread across the road, being witness of many rites, spells and processions throughout history.
Whoever visits Soraluze-Placencia de las Armas on July 25th and 26th will have a great time at Santiago and Santa Ana's festival, giving way to Nuestra Señora de La Asunción and San Roke, the town's patron saints, in mid-August. San Blas de Otero in February, with its famous fritters, and the Gaztañerre Fair, on November's second Saturday, are also two remarkable festivities worth attending as they have a strong popular support.
