Metauten

Metauten is the main town and administrative seat of the municipality of the same name, which comprises the six districts of the valley and is one of the main landmarks in the area surrounding the Sierra de Lóquiz.

Located about thirteen kilometers from Estella-Lizarra, the municipality lies in a flat, open, agricultural area at the foot of the limestone cliffs that mark the valley’s natural boundary. The landscape combines farmland, scrubland, and expanses of holm oak, gall oak, and common oak forests—typical of a climate that transitions between the sub-Mediterranean and Mediterranean zones. This makes Metauten an ideal starting point for walks, hiking trails, and nature activities.

This town also preserves an interesting architectural heritage, evident in its 16th- and 17th-century houses bearing coats of arms, the Cabo de Armería Palace, the Church of San Román, and the Chapel of Santa Bárbara, located near the town center.

One of Metauten’s most distinctive features is its connection to the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum). Here you’ll find the Truffle Museum, a pioneer in Spain and the municipality’s main tourist attraction. The museum offers insights into the cultivation, culture, and natural environment associated with this unique product, which is deeply rooted in the valley’s rural identity.

Local life also revolves around celebrations shared by the various municipalities, such as the Allín–Metauten Valley Festival, which is held every May on a rotating basis, strengthening the bonds between the valley’s towns.