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Tourism destinations
Towns
This beautiful spot lies to the northwest of the historical territory of Alava and belongs to the Cuadrilla de Ayala. Sheltered by about 600 metre-high mountains, the town is comprised of seven neighbourhoods, being the one of Artziniega the town's administrative centre.
Medieval Town
While having a walk through the Old Town, its medieval nature will take visitors back to that period. Declared Official Complex of Historical Monuments in 1995, it consists of three parallel streets (De Arriba, Del Medio and De Abajo Streets) that are linked to each other by narrow perpendicular streets. The Old Town accommodates beautiful buildings of varied styles that are part of Artziniega's rich heritage, being remarkable the lovely Artziniega Tower, for instance, which is a small Renaissance palace with a Classicistic door, as well as the convent of the Madres Agustinas and the 19th-century Old Town Hall. Near the historic centre, we will find the majestic sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Encina. It has a magnificent four-arch portico and an altarpiece that dates back to the early 16th century. The temple of Spanish-Flemish style was declared a Historical-Artistic Monument.
After this trip through the Middle Ages, we can visit the Ethnographic Museum, which focuses on the human being. Accommodated in a restored building, the museum is divided up into 17 rooms that display the rural and urban lifestyles of the locals.
Artziniega is an ideal spot for nature and sport lovers. Not in vain, it offers numerous routes and paths for mountain biking, hiking and horse riding. Moreover, the municipality boasts full sports facilities that allows practising many activities.
Festivals and Medieval Market
The town's patron Saint festival honouring Virgen de la Encina is held in early September. The festival's programme is full of performances for all tastes, such as concerts, pelota matches and painting contests.
On the other hand, we must mention the Mercado de Antaño, a medieval market day that takes place every year on the first Sunday of September. It is a wonderful event where inhabitants wear medieval clothes and recall 15th-century trades.
