Gorramendi and the Archaeological Remains
In Baztan, there are about 600 known megaliths, erected by the first groups of farmers who settled in the valley, from about 5,000 years ago until the arrival of the Romans. At the Gorramendi Pass, you can see several of them, such as the Maestrugain Cromlech, which is shown in the photo.
Scientific studies conducted on these archaeological remains reveal that the first inhabitants of Baztan lived, died, and were buried here in the valley as far back as the 13th century B.C. They also speak our language, Euskara, 2,000 years before Castilian Spanish arrived.
Forgotten for centuries, in recent decades they have sparked the interest of historians, who have carried out significant research and cataloging efforts.
Among all these ruins, some stand out—some better known than others—such as the Urdintz monolith, the dolmens at Otaltzu, Xolborroko harria (in Legate), Urkizte, Luurzu, Beoltrin, Autrin, and Zalu, as well as the cromlechs at Maistrugain and Soalar. We also find the Urlegi (Alkurruntz) burial mound, dolmens at Uztanborro (Irurita), Sorginetxoa (Erratzu), Pas de Rolan (Erratzu-Alduides station), Oiza (at 699 m, near Elizondo), two in Otsondo, six more and a menhir in the Legate area, in Lekaroz, the cromlech and menhir of Iparla, the dolmens of Elorta and Aznabazterra (in Erratzu), and the menhir of Bagordi…
There are several routes that allow you to explore these ruins, which take us back thousands of years. Here is one of them.