In the Basque language Urdazubi means ‘water and bridge’. History, nature, tradition, cuisine and sports are closely intertwined in Urdazubi/Urdax, which is magnificently situated at the gateway to the Kingdom of Navarre, perfectly complementing the surrounding forests and mountains and the special combination of its places and people.
Urdazubi/Urdax is nestled in the valley of the Ugarana River, which is crossed by several medieval bridges. It is separated from the Baztán Valley by the Otsondo Pass; the border crossing into France is at Dantxarinea. The town was born in the 15th century as a domain of the San Salvador Monastery; in 1774 it separated and was declared a free town. One of the main attractions of Urdazubi/Urdax is the dominant architectural style of its buildings, harmoniously combining the stately and the traditional. The town’s streets count houses bearing coats-of-arms built by the so-called ‘Indians’ (residents who emigrated to the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries and returned wealthy, building sumptuous mansions).
Urdazubi/Urdax is also the birthplace of Pedro Aguerre ‘Axular’, one of the most famous writers in the Basque language, who lived in the 17th century. He authored Gero (‘After’ in English), a major work of Basque literature. Among the town’s major attractions are the 11th century San Salvador Monastery, the mill built in the 10th and 11th centuries, the magnificent caves of Ikaburu, the art exhibition and all the benefits of rural and cultural tourism, with quality as a hallmark. The town is divided into seven neighbourhoods:Alkerdi, Landibar, Leorlas, Telleria, Iribere, LarraintaandDantxarinea.
