Tourism destinations
Towns
Oñati is one of the most monumental towns in Gipuzkoa and one of the most beautiful areas in Euskadi.
Located in the Alto Deba region and at the foot of Aloña Mountain, the encompassing rough slopes and numerous mountains are home to an exceptional old part of the town, marked by notable buildings, palaces and churches of great-value in terms of architecture.
The Sancti Spiritus University, located in one of the main accesses to Oñati is one of the gems of the civil architecture of the Basque Renaissance. Built in the 16th century ordered by the Bishop Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola, its facade is very smart and stately. Inside, the cloister and Plateresque retable, carved by the French sculptor Pierres Picart, are outstanding pieces.
Other attractions for visitors are the parish church of San Miguel, with a mixture of Gothic, Baroque, Neo-classic; the Bidaurreta Monastery, with huge proportions and Gothic facade sculpted in the 16th century; the imposing Plaza de Los Fueros Square, the Town Hall and Plaza de Santa Marina Square, surrounded by beautiful palaces such as Antia, Madinabeitia and Baruekua.
The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Arantzazu and Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park
Oñati is the largest area in Gipuzkoa. Made up of 16 neighbourhoods, of which Arantzazu is the most popular, it is located 9 km from the urban area at the foot of the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park and where a sanctuary consecrated to the virgin is placed. A virgin that is said a shepherd saw it in the 15th century over a hawthorn. Built in the 1950s on a precipice, the Sanctuary of Arantzazu is an impressive avant-garde art collection, as it counted on the participation of artists of international stature such as Eduardo Chillida, Jorge Oteiza, Nestor Basterretxea and Lucio Muñoz.
From Arantzazu, many mountain roads lead to Urbia fields, and from there, to the magnificent limy cresting of Aizkorri, an extraordinary natural environment that has recently been turned a natural park.
What is more, Oñati's festivals are deeply rooted in the traditional culture. Corpus Christi Day, for example, is a Medieval festival where the procession and traditional dances such as "Kontrapas," "Makildantza" and "Arkudantza" have become the most important events. On the other, San Miguel's Day and Nuestra Señora del Rosario's Day are also important celebrations, as well as the International Sheepdog Trials, where dogs show their skills when chasing their flocks into the fold.
