Zugarramurdi: Cave, Museum and History

Zugarramurdi brings together several themes that you can consider separately when planning your trip: the karst formation of the Cueva, the historical interpretation at the Museo de las Brujas, and the cross-border Ruta de la Pottoka Azul. The following highlights offer concrete pointers to help you decide what to focus on during your visit.

Karst cave and historical context

The Cueva de Zugarramurdi, also known as «Sorginen Leizea», is a surface karst complex. Its main cavern forms a 120-metre-long natural tunnel, complemented by two higher galleries. These details distinguish the central tunnel from the galleries that complete the complex.

Pagan celebrations were held in some of the rooms in ancient times. These celebrations are also connected to the Inquisition proceedings of 1609 to 1614: during the proceedings, they were presented as evidence of witchcraft in Zugarramurdi. The history of the place therefore encompasses both the use of certain rooms in ancient times and their later interpretation.

The entrance is about 400 metres from the village and can be reached on foot through the surrounding forest.

Museum and regional past

The Museo de las Brujas de Zugarramurdi is housed in a former hospital dating from the 17th century. It opened as a museum in July 2007. It preserves the historical memory and shows visitors how people in the region lived in the past.

The permanent exhibition comprises four sections: witch hunts, witchcraft and the Inquisition, mythology and ethnology, and a permanent exhibition devoted to researcher Gustav Henningsen. This means the focus is not limited to persecution and the Inquisition; mythology, ethnology and Henningsen also have their own exhibition sections.

The cave and the museum offer different perspectives: the cave is a real setting for the historical connections preserved in local accounts, while the museum divides its subjects into several sections and also presents the region's former way of life. If you are especially interested in the history of Zugarramurdi, these two approaches can help you view the place from different perspectives.

Routes around Zugarramurdi

The Ruta de la Pottoka Azul is an almost 35-kilometre circular route through the cross-border Xareta region. It links the caves of Urdazubi/Urdax and Zugarramurdi with the one in Sara across the border. It is marked by a small blue horse painted on stones. Zugarramurdi is also part of the Ruta de la Brujería.

When planning your route, note the distinction between the two distances: the entire circular route is almost 35 kilometres long, while its Navarra section is 12 kilometres. Check the route conditions before setting out.

The Zikiro jate

The Zikiro jate is held every year on the last day of the village festivities in the Cueva de Zugarramurdi. A ticket purchased in advance is required to attend the celebration on 18 August. The event schedule and ticket rules may change, so check the latest information before making plans. This way, you can include the event as a separate item in your itinerary without losing sight of the date and ticket requirements.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Uztegi, Mendigorría, Artajona, Oskotz, Ablitas, Bera, Ayechu, Villanueva de Arce.

For the overview of the wider region: Navarra.