Everything you need to know to do the Route of the Three Temples
Everything you need to know to do the Route of the Three Temples
In 1522, after a process of reflection and spiritual conversion, Ignatius of Loyola –who was canonized after his death by Pope Gregory XV– made a pilgrimage to Manresa (Barcelona), beginning a new life that marked a milestone in history with the creation of the Society of Jesus. The starting point of this trip, the region of Urola Erdia and the neighboring Urola Garaia and Debagoiena, in the interior of the Province of Gipuzkoa, currently represents an important destination for cultural and religious tourism baptized under the name ‘Tierra Ignaciana’ (‘Ignatian Land’), whose proposal is based on the figure of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the massive historical, artistic/cultural, and religious heritage of his time, the sixteenth century, also known as the Basque Golden Age. The central aspect that acts as the backbone of Ignatian Land is the Route of the Three Temples, an itinerary measuring 45 km that joins the Sanctuary of Loyola with the La Antigua Hermitage, as well as the latter with the Aránzazu Sanctuary. This path, apart from its artistic wealth and its spiritual and religious significance, recreates the first two stages of the pilgrimage undertaken by Ignatius of Loyola.
The Route of the Three Temples begins at Azpeitia, where the monumental ensemble of the Sanctuary of Loyola is located, which is made up of the Holy House –the birthplace of Saint Ignatius– and the Basilica of Loyola, in Baroque style, dominated by a dome and preceded by a wide portico of Churrigueresque style. The next step on the way is the La Antigua Hermitage of Zumarraga, in Romanesque style, built in stone and wood and considered the “Cathedral of the Hermitages” due to the incomparable beauty of its interior. Next to La Antigua, there is an Interpretation Center where the evolution of the Hermitage and the town of Zumarraga are explained. The journey ends in Oñati, at the Aránzazu Sanctuary, an imposing building that began to be built in 1950. Great artists of the time took part in its construction: the doors were forged by Eduardo Chillida, the altarpiece was carved by Lucio Muñoz in polychrome wood, the stained glass windows were made by Javier Álvarez de Eulate, the paintings are by Nestor Basterretxea, and the sculptures are by Jorge Oteiza.
Apart from the visit to the Three Temples –a “must” in our book– there are other themed routes designed by the tour managers, immersing visitors in the figure of Saint Ignatius and the modus vivendi of the sixteenth century: The ‘A Birthplace’ Route travels through the regions where Saint Ignatius spent his childhood and youth; ‘Interior Artwork’ reveals the most important altarpieces created during this period of euphoric construction; ‘Humanistic Spirit’ puts the focus on the Sancti Spiritus University of Oñati, the first university in the Basque Country, whose building is also one of the most important exponents of the Basque Renaissance; ‘Between Tower-Houses and Palaces’ guides visitors to the most outstanding stately buildings in the region; ‘San Francisco de Borja in Ignatian Land’ brings back to life the places where the Fourth Duke of Gandía (the great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI) was in the region; a granary, a farmhouse, a forge, a mill, and two museums make up the ‘Lifestyles of the Sixteenth Century’ Route; and ‘Virgins’ highlights the carved figures of the main virgins for whom Saint Ignatius of Loyola felt so much devotion – the Virgin of Sorrows, the Virgin of Olatz, and the Virgin of Dorleta, among others.
The best way to not miss a thing in terms of the wealth of Ignatian Land is to let yourself be carried away by the many professional guides specializing in heritage, history, and nature and who devote their professional lives to custom tours and personalized visits. They are also in charge of providing information to the public about the various events scheduled by the destination’s tour managers, whose work has been recognized by the European Commission: in 2017, Ignatian Land was awarded the EDEN (European Destinations of Excellence) Award for sustainability and excellence in the management of cultural tourism destinations.
Tierra Ignaciana
