The Ignatian Way through Oñati
The sanctuary of the patron saint of Gipuzkoa is located in an impressive landscape of rocky mountain ranges, deep ravines and gorges that open and bring borders of Araba, Nafarroa and Gipuzkoa closer.
But, above all, Arantzazu stands out because it is unique testimony of the work done by a group of artists who got ahead of the artistic Avant-garde, breaking with the architectural trends of their time.
Following in the footsteps of Ignatius of Loyola…
This route recreates the journey that Ignatius of Loyola did in the year 1522, from his birthplace, Azpeitia, to the Catalan town of Manresa.
The entire route is 675 km long, and part of that itinerary passes through Gipuzkoa and Araba and consists of 150 km and 6 stages.
The mountainous terrain of the Basque Country is well reflected in the steep ascent of the second stage (Zumarraga-Arantzazu 19,2 km), which can be completed more comfortably by making an extra stop in Oñati.
If you travel by bike or on foot and have enough time, you can split the stage in two and continue the ascent to the Sanctuary of Arantzazu after stopping over in Oñati.
Rest in Oñati like Ignatius of Loyola did, and resume the journey
Just as Ignatius of Loyola did on his journey to Navarrete, as written in his autobiography, we can rest in Oñati.
The diversion of the second stage is in front of the old Mirandaola foundry in Legazpi -which we can visit on our way- and where we will find a signpost that indicates the old mail road in the direction of Oñati. We will descend to Oñati, spend the night and resume the journey towards the Sanctuary of Arantzazu the next day. Do not forget to take an hour and a half to visit the magnificent Caves of Oñati-Arrikrutz in the ascent to the Sanctuary of Arantzazu.
Oñati and San Francisco of Borja
In Oñati we can visit the Madalena Chapel, where one of the successors of Ignatius of Loyola, San Francisco of Borja, retired for 2 years. The chapel is located next to the greenway that connects Oñati and Bergara.
OÑATI TOURIST OFFICE
Telephone number: 943 783 453
Email address: turismo@onati.eus