Eulate

Eulate, the capital of the municipality of Améscoa Alta, is located at an elevation of 729 meters between the Urbasa and Lóquiz mountain ranges, at the western end of the valley. The village spreads out at the foot of the great rocky escarpment of Urbasa, facing the Lóquiz massif, forming one of the most iconic landscapes of Las Améscoas. The town center is divided into three neighborhoods: Mediobarrio, surrounding the church; Coparacio to the east; and Gonea to the west.

The historic center preserves a remarkable collection of civil and religious architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries. The parish church of San Martín de Tours, built in the late 16th century and extensively remodeled in the 18th century, stands out for its Latin cross plan, polygonal apse, and Baroque portico with Doric columns.

Among its most distinctive features is the Eulate cross-shrine, a flamboyant Gothic structure from the early 16th century located at the eastern entrance to the town—one of the valley’s most recognizable heritage landmarks. In the upper part of the village, the remains of the Cabo de Armería Palace of the Álvarez de Eulate family and the cubic tower known as La Fortificación—linked to the town’s ancient defensive enclosure—have been preserved.

The religious heritage is rounded out by the 13th-century Proto-Gothic chapel of San Juan Bautista, considered one of the most notable in Tierra Estella; the chapel of Saints Nunilo and Alodia, located on the Urbasa plateau; and the chapel of San Eloy, in addition to other heritage sites such as the Renaissance fountain from 1594, the unique Villa Madrid, and numerous houses bearing coats of arms linked to ancient local lineages.

The history of Eulate has been documented since 1066. It was a royal town and had an important customs post between the 14th and 17th centuries. Prominent lineages such as the Álvarez de Eulate, García de Eulate, and Pérez de Eulate originated here, as did notable figures such as Martín Pérez de Eulate, Chief Mason of the Kingdom of Navarre and the person in charge of the construction of the Royal Palace of Olite. During the War of Independence, Eulate served as a field hospital, and in 1835, it hosted the signing of the Lord Elliott Pact, concerning the humane treatment of prisoners during wartime.

Life in the village remains closely tied to sheep farming and the production of Idiazábal cheese—a Designation of Origin product—made in local artisanal cheese dairies. This tradition is celebrated every October during Améscoa Shepherds’ Day, an event that highlights pastoral culture, local cuisine, and the historical connection between the valley and the mountains. The annual calendar is rounded out by events such as the El Arriero Cross-Country Race, which reinforce the town’s social and athletic vibrancy.