Conjunto Monumental de Igartza

About the museum

The Igartza monumental complex in Beasain has its origins in the Middle Ages, but it has always kept the capacity to adapt its productive facilities — the mill, the ironworks and the hydraulic infrastructure — to each era. A kilometre downstream, the ironworkers of Igartza founded the Fábrica de Hierros de San Martín in the 19th century, which would later become CAF. In the mid-20th century several pavilions of the company Indar were built over the ironworks, and in the first decade of the 21st century, despite Beasain's considerable urban growth, the complex was preserved and enhanced.

The palace was commissioned at the beginning of the 16th century by María de Igartza on the site of a medieval tower house that stood until 1476. It is the largest wooden palace in the Basque Country and the only one with an aerial gallery and a central wooden courtyard. The hydraulic ironworks seen today is the one rebuilt in 1782, and the mill, built in the 17th century, operated until 1982. The complex also includes the medieval weir, causeway and bridge, and the hermitage of Belén, dating from the 17th century and restored in 2011.

The guided visit tours the buildings and explains the activity that each one housed, their connections and the historical figures associated with them, from the Middle Ages to the present day. There are also themed visits on local legends, the presence of women at Igartza and the origins of industry in Beasain.

Highlights

• 16th-century wooden palace, the largest in the Basque Country, with an aerial gallery and wooden central courtyard
• Hydraulic ironworks rebuilt in 1782
• 17th-century mill and water system with weir and millrace
• Hermitage of Belén, restored in 2011
• Themed guided visits: legends, women and industry

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Beasain

Admission & discounts

The price corresponds to the guided visit.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car: A-1 motorway, GI-632, Katea street, Oleta kalea (GI-2632) as far as Igartza.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

The complex has Wi-Fi and toilets for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces can be rented, such as the courtyard, a lecture hall, a meeting room, the ironworks, the mill and an exhibition room, on request and upon payment of municipal rates.

Plan your visit