Environment

The valley of Xareta spans four municipalities located on either side of the border: Zugarramurdi and Urdax in Navarra, Spain, and Sare and Ainhoa in the Aquitaine region of France. The boundary has been blurred by mountains, verdant pastures, rivers and forests.

This is a region of magical landscapes, villages rich with history, legend, and well-preserved architecture. Old trails once used by merchants, pilgrims and smugglers bear witness to the close historical ties maintained by the inhabitants of Xareta over the centuries. Four towns that share a history and a language which continue to work together on cross-border projects and programmes under the auspices of the European Union.

Among the many attractions in Urdax are the monastery and cloister, the mill, the Ikaburu caves and the spectacular landscape for enjoying the great outdoors.
Urdax, or Urdazubi in Basque, sits in a privileged setting at the gateway to Navarra. Surrounded by forests and mountains, Urdazubi-Urdax welcome visitors to enjoy a combination of history, tradition, scenery, gastronomy and sport.The town is located near the Dantxarinea border crossing separated from the Baztan Valley by Otsondo pass.

A number of medieval stone bridges span the river Ugarana, which runs through the town.

The town was founded around the 15th century under the auspices of the Monastery of San Salvador. In 1774, the town was separated from the monastery and declared independent. One of the most captivating features of Urdazubi-Urdax is its architecture, a harmonious combination of stately grandeur and tradition.Of particular interest are the so-called ‘indiano’ houses bearing the coats of arms of emigrants who returned from the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries as wealthy men and built their mansions.