Museo del poblado de La Hoya
Interpretation centre next to the Iron Age site of La Hoya, with a model of the settlement and a full-size house; free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The settlement of La Hoya, on the outskirts of Laguardia, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Basque Country. Discovered in 1935, it shows that the place was inhabited for some 3,400 years: the first settlement dates back to the 15th century BC, when Indo-European settlers arriving from Central Europe came into contact with the megalithic cultures of the area. The modern excavations were directed by the archaeologist Armando Llanos.
The settlement was defended by a wall, of which about 360 metres survive, first of wood and later of rubble masonry. Around the 4th century BC it was occupied by Celtiberians from the Meseta, who reorganised the layout into blocks of houses and turned it into a centre of trade and territorial organisation. It was abandoned around the 3rd century BC for unknown reasons; the remains of an attack and fire lay buried and intact until their discovery.
The museum next to the site offers an educational view of the lives of those who inhabited the place for a millennium (1200–250 BC) through photographs, drawings, texts, a model of the settlement in the Second Iron Age and a reproduction of a full-size house, as well as objects found in the excavations such as jars, plates and decorative pieces. The visit is self-guided, with audio guides in Spanish, Basque, English and French.
Highlights
- Model of the settlement in the Second Iron Age
- Reproduction of a full-size house with its utensils
- Archaeological site open to visitors, with streets, squares and blocks of houses
- Audio guides in Spanish, Basque, English and French
- Free admission
Permanent exhibitions
- El poblado de La Hoya en la Edad del Hierro – Model of the settlement and reproduction of houses at full size, with photographs, drawings and texts about the lives of its inhabitants between 1200 and 250 BC.
- Objetos del yacimiento – Jars, plates and decorative pieces found in the excavations of the settlement.
- Operated by
- Diputación Foral de Álava
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
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
Free parking
Small free car park next to the museum.
Amenities & dining
Public toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (ES, EU, EN, FR) |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Self-guided visit with panels, models, videos and downloadable audio guides; the route includes the open-air site, so wear footwear and clothing suitable for the weather. |
