Zumarraga, Spain


Zumarraga is a municipality and industrial town in Gipuzkoa province of the Basque Country autonomous community of northern Spain, approximately by road southwest of San Sebastián and northwest of Idiazabal. As of 2018 the municipality had a population of 9834 people. The Urola river flows through the vicinity. It is the birthplace of Miguel López de Legazpi, conquistador who explored the Pacific Islands and the East Indies, and of Iñaki Urdangarín, the husband of Infanta Cristina of Spain.

History

In 1446 a battle took place there during the War of the Bands. In the 15th-century, the bridge that separates the municipalities of Zumárraga and Urrechu was named after the Zufiaur family.

Geography

Zumárraga is situated in the Gipuzkoan valley of Alto Urola. The valley is narrow with a width of about. On the west, the Urola River separates it from the neighboring Urrechu, with which it forms an urban area. In the south, it borders with Legazpia and Gaviria, in the west with Ezkio-Itsaso, and in the north with Azpeitia and Azcoitia. The main mountains of Zumárraga are Samiño, Izazpi, and Beloqui.
Some of the main neighborhoods and streets include, Secundino Esnaola, Etxeberri, Orbegozo, Plaza Leturias, Argixao, Eitza, Avenue Padre Urdaneta, Ipar Haizea, Agiña, San Cristóbal, Eliz-kale, Bidezar, Izazpi, Search Isusi, Oquendo, Plaza Navarra, Piedad, Legazpi, Soraitz, Avenue Euskal Herria, San Isidro, and Txurruka.

Economy

Following the building of the railway in the late 19th century the Justo Artiz factory was built in 1885. It become known for its wicker baskets. After the Spanish Civil War, the iron and steel industry took off with the building of the Estaban Orbegozo factory, which saw an influx of workers from surrounding areas.

Celebrations

Plaza de Euskadi contains a monument dedicated to Miguel López de Legazpi, the Plaza Porticada, and the Casa Uzcanga, built in 1867 by José Antonio de Alberdi. Caserío Aitzabaso, also known as "Areizaga Dorrea", is an old building known for its arches in the Barrio of Aranburu. Caserío Gurrutxaga Goikoa and Caserío Aizpuru lie in the Barrio of Soraitz. The municipal cemetery is noted for its underground crypt designed by the architect José Antonio Pizarro, influenced by Ancient Egypt. There are two sculptures, "El Ángel de la vida" and "El Ángel de la muerte", the work of sculptor Vicente Larrea.
Church of Santa María de la Asunción was first built in 1576. The tower was added in the 18th century. Ermita de San Gregorio and Ermita de San Cristóbal are hermitages which both date to 1540. Templo del Convento de las Hermanas Mercedarias de la Caridad was constructed in 1930 while the Templo parroquial El Salvador was opened in October 1971, a modern building designed by the architect Iñigo Guibert de Encío.
The Argizao Stadium caters for local football matches and athletics events. To the east of the stadium is Zumarraga Hospital. The Instituto De Educacion Secundaria Jose Maria Iparraguirre is situated in the northwestern outskirts of the town.
The ultra-modern Lamorous-Argixao old people's home inaugurated in September 2008 offers accommodation for 115 seniors, including 30 psycho-geriatric units and 30 day care spaces. In July 2019, an outdoor meeting area was added to the centre.

Notable people