Cadagua River flows through this town surrounded by mountains, the most populous in the county.

Our starting point is presided over by the Town Hall building, a majestic mansion from the 17th century that boasts wrought iron balcony railings and a shield over the main entrance. Some steps ahead there stands Maristas School, a Victorian building – as austere as it is elegant – located right off the coastal route to Santiago de Compostela, a stretch of which runs through the town.

Pilgrims used to stop in the nearby San Pedro de Zariquete Chapel – maybe the most emblematic spot in town – for a sleep, and legend has it that they sought the saint’s protection against the evil eye by crossing the entrance gates. The surroundings show a water fountain and the so called “House of the Bless,” which conveys a sense of the religious significance of pilgrimage.

Last, but not least, Bolunburu makes a perfect leisure getaway. It is located alongside the riverbank, inside a 15th-century architectural complex including Santa Ana Chapel – built in 1610 on the ruins of a foundry – and the Bolunburu tower after which the place is named.

Following the riverbank we’ll find the 20 metre-high (over 65 feet) Terreros Tower, next to the imposing Urrutia Palace. These two samples of architecture are of course outnumbered by emblematic country houses scattered over the districts. Otxaran, the most rural neighbourhood in Zalla, is home to Virgen de Lorea Winery, owned by the descendants of the 17th-century founders. The winery produces two reputable brands of txakoli, the distinctive white wine typical of the Basque Country.