Esparza-Espartza:

Going in a northerly direction and passing the peaks of Beotegia (932 m), Gurutxea (971 m), Santa Agueda (964m)and Betotalea (996m), one arrives at the central part of the Salazar Valley. The village if Esparza is situated at a height of 693m and has approximately 130 inhabitants. Typically it has large houses made of stone with red flat tiled roofs. These are typical of the surrounding Pyrenees valleys which contrast well with the green vegetation of the mountains. In many of the houses one can find the family crest on top of the doorway or arquitectoral remains which indicate that it could have been a Palace in times past.

The Salazar river cuts the village into two halves and each half is joined by the Maiatzaldea bridge where one is able to fish for trout.
The building that dominates the village is the church of San Andres. The church was built in the 12th century. Inside the church one is able to really admire it's beautiful construction and the sculptures which adorn the walls. Many of the sculptures are from the 16th century and it is well worth the visit as it is a typical example of a village church. In festivals or bank holidays choirs sing in the church singing local songs and hymns.

We would recommend that you walk through our beautiful village, along it's cobbled pathways, contemplating the beauty and cleanliness of the village and the balconies of the houses that are full of flowers giving the village colour and vigour. You never know, you might come across a craftsman carving wood or spinning wool to make socks, or maybe they could tell you some of the mountain folklore about the witches in the mountains………

At the beginning of the village one is able to leave the road on route to the Abodi Range, to contemplate and ponder many of it's mountain walks or cross-country ski routes, obviously depending on the time of year that you are here in the valley. The mountain path will also take you to the Irati Woods, (one of the largest natural remaining forests in Europe), and you will be amazed with all the different vegetation and fauna that is there to see! Towards the north one comes across Mount Muskilda at 1070m, where one finds the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Muskilda, an early Roman Hermitage from the 13th Century.

Any of he villages in the Salazar Valley provide beautiful and interesting days out for excursions and site seeing. You might even find yourself walking through the mountain paths admiring the views before coming across the next village in the valley. It is an excellent day out especially in the festivals of the villages, bank holidays or at Easter. There s load to see and we invite you to try the guided tours of our villages and hermitages.

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31453 Esparza de Salazar/Pirineo Navarro/Spain

camping@esparzadesalazar.com