Irun: Heritage, nature and shopping walk!

Discover Pays Basque

The city of Irun , in Gipuzkoa , has an extraordinary heritage dating back to Roman rule. It was then called Oiasso. During the 1st and 2nd centuries it was an important Roman port and a hub of communications between Spain and Europe, the main trade routes meeting precisely at Irun. The first reference to this Basque locality, however, dates from the 13th century when it appears in the settlement charter granted to Hondarribia by King Alfonso VIII of Castile.

Photos of the article @ Bidasoa Turismo

Visit the Roman city of Irun

Between the 1st and the 3rd century BC, the Roman Empire occupied this territory and founded Oiasso there, one of the most important cities of the Atlantic arc and whose imprint is still visible in the many remains placed there. up to date. We should mention in particular the port discovered in Santiago Street as well as the thermal baths located behind the current Roman Museum Oiasso which gather all the remains found in the region. In this regard, Irun belongs to the Network of Roman Cities of the Atlantic, a group of municipalities located in the Atlantic area of influence and having a common Roman past which offers the possibility of discovering a unique cultural heritage. The network, which crosses three countries (France, Spain and Portugal), is made up of: Saintes, Périgueux, Irun, Castro Urdiales, Gijón, Lugo, Braga, Condeixa-a-Nova and Marvão.

Oiasso Museum

The Oiasso Museum in Irun brings together remains from the Roman period found around the town of Oiasso. The objective of this institution is to make known the archaeological heritage of the region and to become, in turn, the reference center for the knowledge and dissemination of the Roman period in the Bay of Biscay.

Chapel of Santa Elena

Another testimony to the Roman city of Irun is the Santa Elena Chapel. A cemetery from Roman times has been discovered there, with some important constructions and more than 100 funerary urns.

Historical complex of Irugurutzeta

The Romans knew the richness of the mining sites of the Bidasoa, the exploitation of which continued during the Middle Ages and until the 20th century. The current landscape on the slopes of Aiako Harria bears traces of intense mining activity. You can still see quarries, heaps, transport systems, inclined planes or the ruins of a mining camp. The most emblematic area, and also the easiest to access, is in Irugurutzeta. A system of terraces made it possible to make the most of the slope. However, this site is particularly remarkable for its battery of ovens , which experts agree to recognize as being one of the best traces of industrial archeology in our territory.

For more than 20 years, the Mining Site of Irugurutzeta has been the subject of restoration and development. Since 2000 it has been part of the National Industrial Heritage Plan drawn up by the Ministry of Culture. The visit is accessible on the Irun Berdea Irugurutzeta app.

Juncal Church

The construction of this temple began in 1508 and was not completed until a century later, in 1606. This is why there are different architectural styles (late Gothic, Basque Gothic, and Baroque for its portal). The famous Romanesque statue of the Virgin of Juncal presides over the altarpiece. It is the oldest in Gipuzkoa. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1973.

Column of San Juan Harria and City Hall

This column, erected in 1564, has become over time the symbol of the independent personality of Irun. The services of the Town Hall occupy a Baroque-style building (18th century) in the city center, very close to the column of San Juan Harria. The most important events of Irun took place there.

Chapel of San Marcial

The chapel of San Marcial, built on Mount Aldabe, commemorates the victory over the French on June 30, 1522. Near the chapel, a belvedere offers a magnificent panoramic view of the bay of Txingudi.

Ekoetxea, Txingudi Swamp, Plaiaundi Ecological Park

Plaiaundi Ecological Park is part of Txingudi Bay. It is a natural space of great ecological and tourist interest. Three kilometers of trails run between the widest stretches of Gipuzkoa. An interpretation center offers year-round activities for everyone (guided tours, bird identification, workshops, etc.)

Aiako Harria Natural Park

The beauty of this site is singular in several respects: the geology, with fossils of marine animals over 300 million years old, the botany, with vast expanses of beech and oak trees and the waterways that run through them. browse, history, with testimonies of the main historical events that took place there, and finally leisure, with spaces for walking and relaxing.

Shopping and businesses in Irun

Irun is the most important city in the Bidasoa basin for shopping and gastronomy, with more than 1200 commercial establishments, 4 shopping centers and 2 fresh produce markets. The streets and squares offer a whole choice of shops, from the most traditional to concept stores.

Routes through the shopping streets of Irun

The main commercial areas are Paseo de Colón, Pío XII and San Miguel. Several underground car parks will allow you to do your shopping in peace. Irun has been able to adapt to the passage of time while respecting the specificity of traditional trade. You will find vast spaces, quality products and a personalized welcome. Two covered markets are open every day and on Saturday an open-air market is held in the old quarter.

Shopping centers and spaces

In Irun there are two shopping centers (Mendibil and Txingudi) and two commercial areas (Béhobie and Santiago) where you will find many shops, as well as bars, restaurants and other places of leisure.