Way of St. James in the Basque Country: Oiartzun and Astigarraga

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Oiartzun

Oiartzun, with its 60 km2, is one of the largest regions in Gipuzkoa. The village of the same name coexists with others like Altzibar, Iturriotz, Gurutze, Ergoien, etc., each of which has its own characteristics and particular "treasures", such as the Pagoaga Fortified-House and Ergoien Palace in the neighborhoods of the same names, and the Iturriotz Fortified-House.

Outstanding in the town center is the parish church of San Esteban, a single-naved Gothic structure built in the 16th century and home to a 17th century altarpiece by Juan de Huici. Also dating from the same century is the Town Hall next to the 16th century hermitage of San Juan, which, together with a curious altarpiece, has an interesting Christ with a Gothic aspect from the no-longer standing chapel of Andrearriaga.

The hermitage of Santiagomendi, in Astigarraga, is one of the most important local references to the Road to Santiago. Some sources are convinced that this hermitage was built because of a naïve confusion by the people in the area, who believed that the shell fossils found in the nearby hills marked the passage of the Road to Santiago through this spot. The hermitage, which probably dates from the 13th century, is simply built, with a rectangular ground plan, one single nave, and a straight apse.

Also from the 13th century is the famous alabaster carving of the Apostle, which was worshipped in the ostensory of the hermitage and is now part of the collection collection belonging to the Diocesan Museum in Donostia-San Sebastian. The 18th century altarpiece combines a carving of Saint James, galloping and brandishing his sword at the Moors, with Saint Sebastian, Saint Christopher and Jesus Christ.

In the present town center we will find some architecturally interesting structures comprising the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, previously Santa Maria de Murgia, and Murgia Palace, now owned by the Marquis of Valdespina. This complex stands on a small hill known as Markesmendi, hence the belief that it was once a fortress.