Living heritage

Itsaso, a living heritage 

Discover Itsaso's highlights, such as restaurants, shops, leisure activities and other interesting opportunities.

Welcome to Itsaso

You are in Itsaso, in the Goierri (Highlands) region of Gipuzkoa. This municipality has a population of around 165 inhabitants and an area of 8.8 square kilometers. It features many points of interest and the community supports initiatives that keep the historical and cultural heritage alive. Here are several places to visit within the town center.

Map - Itsaso nucleus

Ostatu and new Town Hall

Heritage

1. Ostatu and new Town Hall

In 1962 the City Council was moved to the first floor of the Ostatu building. Two years later, like other towns of Gipuzkoa, Itsaso was forced by Franco's decree to form a single municipality with Ezkio. But the Foral Decree of 2016 approves the separation of Ezkio-Itsaso and created the independent municipality of Itsaso. Since then, the Town Council remains in force in the Ostatu building. On the lower floor, with entrance from the square, the Ostatu is the meeting place of the neighborhood and offers bar and restaurant service.

Church of San Bartolomé

Heritage

2. Church of San Bartolomé

This church includes works of different architectural, sculptural and pictorial styles because elements of different construction periods have been preserved. The main portal is from the first Gothic period of 1300, and the arches of the portico are Gothic. The altarpiece with sculpture by Juan de Lizarazu and polychromies by Tomás de Oñate (1550-60) is from the Renaissance period, the interior architecture and sacristy are Baroque, and Pablo Uranga's mural frescoes are impressionism.

Goiko Ostatua or Municipal Council House

Heritage

3. Goiko Ostatua or Municipal Council House

In 1461 King Henry IV of Castile and in 1476 the Catholic Monarchs granted the towns that constituted Areria (Itsaso, Arriaran, Lazkao and Olaberria) the right to elect their own mayor, to administer their treasuries and to administer justice. This baroque palace hosted the Town Hall of Itsaso until 1962.

The cross of Calvary

Heritage

4. The cross of Calvary

This cross, the 12th of Calvary, is currently in the cemetery and in the words of historian Josetxo Zufiaurre is "one of the most profusely decorated and best preserved in all Gipuzkoa" (Jose Zzufiaurre Goya: Cruceros, cruces, picotas y santutxos en Gipuzkoa). In it the objects associated with the Passion of Christ are carved in relief.

Pott Keramika ceramics studio in Itsaso

Ceramics studio

5. Pott Keramika

This studio was created by Jone Urain and Maite Salutregi in 1992 and, since then, they have created genuine pieces of ceramics and transmitted their knowledge, enriching the artistic culture of the region.

Visit their website

Oria Homestead

Heritage

6. Oria Homestead

Itsaso has about 80 homesteads, 10 of which are cataloged in the Register of Historical-Artistic Heritage of the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. One of those civil monuments is the Oria Homestead, located in the village.

The base of the pillory in Itsaso

Heritage

7. The base of the pillory

This remnant tells us that some councils had full competence in civil and criminal matters: "The pillory corresponded to the condition of villas with their own municipal life and administrative autonomy; and it was from the beginning a sign of criminal jurisdiction "(F. Videgain Agós, Navarra 274). Throughout the nineteenth century, by the 1811 decree of the Cortes of Cádiz and later decrees, pillories were ordered to be destroyed, symbolizing the new times.

The Itsusturri pool in Itsaso

Heritage

8. The Itsusturri pool

This spot is fascinating for Itsasoans because of its inexhaustible freshness. In 1942 the inhabitants of Goendegi began to build it, but needed the help of all the people. It is therefore public property. Nowadays, every year it is reconditioned through auzolan (a community work day) and its surroundings are taken care of.