Villabona: Basque Heritage and the Paseo de los canales

Villabona combines Basque cultural history with a named hiking trail and distinctive buildings. The Zubimusu Bridge over the Oria, the hilly, rural district of Amasa and the PR-Gi 118 “Paseo de los canales” offer different points of interest to help you plan your stay.

Bridge and architectural history

The Zubimusu Bridge was built over the Oria River and connected Villabona with Zizurkil, Anoeta and Asteasu. It is a significant element of historic transport infrastructure. Its history represents both the crossing of the river and the connections between the places named above.

Amasa is home to several examples of religious and rural architecture. Andretegi is a large farmhouse with Gothic-style elements. The Church of Saint Martin of Tours was built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Its features include an octagonal tower and an octagonal apse with two Gothic tracery windows.

The Santa Cruz Chapel is also part of Amasa’s history: it was the area’s first parish church and offers views over the valley. The 19th-century Subijana House housed textile workshops. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built over the former chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad. Together, these buildings span a history ranging from religion to the former work carried out in the workshops.

Cultural and industrial history

Subijana Etxea was converted into a hub for Basque culture in Villabona. The renovation also aimed to bring the services of the Asociación de Amigos del Bersolarismo together in one place and provide individuals and institutions interested in bertsolaritza with a service. The Aljibe de Villabona was restored and inaugurated as an exhibition hall in July 2010.

The Subijana y Compañía complex comprises the entrepreneur’s residence, offices and hydraulic infrastructure. Etxe Ondo was the home of Basque artist Vicente Ameztoy. These places add industrial and cultural connections to the religious buildings, though they were not created or used in the same way.

Amasa-Villabona is also historically linked to the Royal Road, and the Inland Route of the Camino de Santiago passes through the town. Both these wider route connections and the specific buildings and their former uses are therefore relevant to understanding the town’s history.

Hiking trail and activities

The PR-Gi 118 “Paseo de los canales” starts behind Villabona’s parish church. It is 15.5 kilometres long, with a maximum elevation difference of 310 metres. Length and elevation difference describe two different aspects of the route and help you gauge the scale of the hike. The trail can be walked at any time of year; check the local information before setting out.

You can reach the starting point by RENFE commuter train via Villabona-Zizurkil station, by intercity bus on the San Sebastián–Tolosa route, or by private vehicle. If travelling by train or bus, it is advisable to check the latest timetables before your journey.

Rebote, a variation of the Basque pelota game, offers another sporting side of Villabona. It is played on an open court and is still played in Villabona; Rebote championships are among the town’s most notable sporting features. Otsabi Park also has a pump track for cycling skills and jumps. These are two different forms of sporting activity: the traditional ball game and cycling practice.

Txakoli and Basque cuisine

HIKA combines a modern Txakoli winery in a rural setting surrounded by vineyards with a restaurant serving cuisine based on local produce. HIKA Winery offers a vineyard visit with a Txakoli tasting and Basque cuisine. This brings winemaking and regional cuisine together in a specific offering; these themes have a different focus from the architectural history and hiking trail.

Discover more destinations: Elduain, Getaria, Mondragón, Pasaia, Éibar, San Sebastián, Errenteria, Antzuola.

For the main travel overview: Gipuzkoa.