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In the comarca (county) of Busturialdea, Ajangiz forms part of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, an outstanding natural area characterised by its enormous diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna.
It stands on a mountainous hillside near the town of Gernika-Lumo. The natural setting, carpeted with Atlantic woodlands and coastal holm oak woods, is what most strikes those arriving in Ajangiz, though the locality is also home to a rich cultural heritage it is well worth getting to know.
The view from the square is awesome. You can admire the Oka River's basin, which flows towards the sea drawing several meanders in the estuary that houses some well-maintained marshes, resting place for thousands of migratory birds.
Belaunzaran was also the architect of the parish house, which recently underwent refurbishment as a cultural centre. The chapel of San Juan de Lemandaro, in the neighbourhood of Kanpantxu, is another point of interest on our trip.
In the same neighbourhood there are two other monuments that are worthy of mention: Ajangiz tower house, which belonged to the lineage of Mentzeta, and Aristieta palace. The first is the only building of its kind that is still standing in the town and has a hewn stone façade and lintel spans. Aristieta palace, meanwhile, was built in the seventeenth century in Baroque style. It is currently home to an agritourism farmhouse and an organic farming centre.
Several farmhouses, amongst which Sartzola stands out, make up the architectural heritage in Ajangiz. We can see the pillars of one of the few remaining granaries in the region.
With regards to the calendar of holidays, the main celebration in the town takes place on the Day of the Ascension of Our Lord, on the first Thursday, forty days after Holy Thursday. Additionally, the feast of San Isidro Labrador is celebrated on 15th May and, lastly, on 24th June a feast day in honour of San Juan Bautista will be held in the chapel of San Juan de Lemandaro.
