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The Oppidum of Arrola is one of the most important indigenous settlements of the Eastern Cantabrian area. The village was erected on the top of Gastiburu in the IVth century BC, and it rapidly became the centre that articulated the life of Urdaibai until the Ist century AD. The Oppidum, located in Arrola hill, covers an extension of 16 hectares (c. 40 acres) and is now shared between the towns of Arratzu, Nabarniz and Mendata. This kind of fortress, of which Arrola is the best preserved example in all Biscay, was the most common way to occupy the territory during the Iron Age.
In addition to its extension, Arrola stands out also for its monumental defences, which include walls, fortified gates and a moat. The northwest gate, that has been excavated and restored, gives access to a labyrinthine corridor that exposed the attacker from all sides. The fortress also has a south entrance, currently under study, and a north gate.
The discovery of what life was in the Oppidum de Arrola ends with the visit to the Interpretation Centre of Arrolagune (Arratzu), where we can admire a full-scale recreation of village hut, as well as some of the tools that were used by the inhabitants of Arrola.
The site that is open to visitors is on the summit of Mount Arrola in lands belonging to the municipality of Arratzu. GPS Coordinates: N 43° 18′ 43" / W 2° 36′ 30".
Arrolagune (the Arrola Oppidum interpretation centre) is in the Cultural Centre in Arratzu. GPS Coordinates: N 43° 18′ 34" / W 2° 38′ 09". Excursions will be by tourist train from Nabarniz
Telephone: 688 856 689
E-mail: ibilbideak@bizkaia.eus
Website: www.bizkaikoa.bizkaia.eus
Excursions will be by tourist train from Nabarniz on 1, 3, 6, 11, 16, 19, 22, 24, 26 (Arrola on foot) and 30 July and 1, 6, 9, 12, 14, 16, (Arrola on foot) 17, 22, 27, 29 and 31 August at 11 am and 5 pm.
Tours will last approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. The tour wil include a visit to the ArrolaOppidum interpretation centre, Arrolagune (Arratzu).
There will be guided tours of ArrolaOppidum on July 26 and August 16.
Departure will be on foot from Arratzu (the Town Hall Square in the Loyola District)) at 10:00 a.m. and will last about 4 hours.
Guided tours in Basque, Spanish, English and French.
Guided tours in Basque, Spanish, English and French.
Maximum: 15 people
General: €3
Reduced: €2 (unemployed persons, OAPs and people with disabilities)
Free: children under 12
