Azazeta

Azazeta (in Spanish ''Azáceta'') is a village in Álava, Basque Country, Spain. The village belongs to the municipality of Arraya-Maestu. The extensive municipality of Arraia-Maeztu belongs to the Álava mountain range. Formed by several valleys around the Berrón (Arraia Valley) and Musitu (Laminoria Valley) streams, this large town is surrounded by the Iturrieta and Vitoria-Gasteiz mountains. Azaceta is located in the Sierra de Guereñu, in a small plain surrounded by high mountains.

The weather is cold, but healthy. There are abundant water sources.

Population

Currently the village comprises approximately thirty households, in which there are some sixty residents.

History

Azazeta is the village that gave name to the mountain pass leading to the village. The village is situated on both sides of the road, in a clearing in the mountains, just after beginning the descent from the port towards Maestu.

It is a small but very well maintained town both in its main square and in its buildings which are adorned with a profusion of flowers. It consists of 30 family houses. In the plaza, which adjoins the road there is a fountain which flows in what is the former washing place. Opposite, across the road, is the Social Center, which is also used as a tavern or bar.

In the first decades of the twentieth century there was a school with up to 45 children enrolled. Currently the old school has been converted into a private home.

The village is currently inhabited by three families, although on feast days and weekends many people arrive to enjoy the pleasant climate in summer and surround themselves with tranquillity.

In the year 1025, documentation in San Millán de la Cogolla include the place name ''Azazaheta''.

Monuments

The church in Azazeta is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady, and retains many remnants of its original construction. Under its rustic porch in the shape of a large arch, there is a beautiful sixteenth century portal. The present eighteenth-century altarpiece includes various pieces from the sixteenth century, among which is the seated image of Mary.

It is rectangular, narrowing at the head and has gothic vaults and a masonry factory. The altar has a typical Baroque altarpiece. To the left is the altar dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. On the right, the altar of Santiago. Both altars are baroque. The porch has a round arch. The square tower was built in 1822 by Master Mason Vicente Nanclares.

Celebrations

Patron feast day was previously celebrated on 16 April in honour of Saint Turibius. However, from 1939 celebrations on 25 July in honour of Saint James, patron saint of Spain, were honoured instead. The major feasts of Azaceta are celebrated during Santiago (Saint James), usually between the 24th and 26 July, during which they perform various types of activities: round parades, crafts and games for children, a grand chocolatada, bouncy castles, fellowship dinners and many more.

Photo gallery

image:Azaceta050522b.jpg, General view of the village of Azazeta
image:Azaceta Ancien Lavoir.JPG, Old Azazeta wash-house
image:Azaceta Fontaine.JPG, Azazeta waterhole
image:Iglesia Azaceta1.jpg, Azazeta church in 1969
image:IglesiaAzaceta2.jpg, Azazeta church in 1974
image:Azaceta Restauration de l'Eglise 2009.JPG, Restoration of the Church. February 2009.
image:2009 Vista de la Iglesia.JPG, View of the Azazeta church
image:Al borde de la carretera provincial.JPG, Al side of the provincial road
image:Antigua escuela de enseñanza primaria.JPG, Former elementary school
image:Arado secular.JPG, Plough from the previous century
image:Carretera centenaria, canal neurálgico de la comunicación.JPG, Centennial Road, major channel of communication
image:Bonito ángulo.JPG, A lovely corner
image:Carretera divisoria del pueblo.JPG, Road dividing the village
image:Casa de la Calle del Ebro.JPG, House on Ebro Street
image:Casa natal de una familia azacetana.JPG, Native house of an Azazeta family
image:Casa señorial.JPG, A Manor House
image:Casa típica restaurada.JPG, A typical restored house
image:Alhóndiga. Centro Social.JPG, Alhóndiga. Social Centre
image:Antigua alcaldía.JPG, Former town hall
image:Ángulos vivos.JPG, Vivid angles
image:Calle del Ebro.JPG, Ebro Street
image:Casa clásica.JPG, A classic house
image:Casa histórica.JPG, An historic house
image:Casas rurales.JPG, Rural houses
image:Cementerio en espera de reestructuración.JPG, Cemetery awaiting restructuring
image:Centro Social.JPG, Social Centre
image:Con el abrevadero en primer plano.JPG, With the trough in the foreground
image:Con la Picota Lete al fondo.JPG, With La Picota Lete in the background
image:Conjunto de casas del lado oriental.JPG, A set of houses on the eastern side
image:Cruces de caminos.JPG, Road crossings
image:Delante del río.JPG, Beside the river
image:En el centro urbano.JPG, In the town center
image:Entre sol y sombra.JPG
image:Es agradable vivir aquí.JPG,
image:Fuente monumental.JPG, Monumental Fountain
image:Historia pasada y presente.JPG, Past and present history
image:Iglesia en reconstrucción-2009.JPG, Church under construction - 2009
image:Lavadero municipal.JPG, Municipal wash-house
image:Lleno de historia.JPG,
image:Lugar estratégico.JPG,
image:Mezcla de construcciones.JPG, Mixture of constructions
image:Mirando al futuro.JPG,
image:Parte integrante del pueblo.JPG,
image:Plaza Mayor un día de tranquilidad.JPG,
image:Detalle de la Plaza Mayor.JPG,
image:Pueblo en actividad.JPG,
image:Religión y reconstrucción.JPG, Religion and reconstruction
image:Rincones románticos.JPG,
image:Subida a la Picota Lete - Monte de Tierras Blancas, en el fondo.JPG,
image:Testimonio de una larga historia.JPG,
image:Todo lo necesario para vivir agradablemente.JPG,
image:Visión panorámica parcial.JPG,
image:Vista_de_la_zona_oriental_del_pueblo.JPG, View of the eastern area of the village
image:Vista occidental del pueblo.JPG, Western view of the village
image:Ambos lados de la carretera.JPG, Both sides of the highway
image:Vista parcial del centro urbano.JPG, Partial view of the town center
image:Manantial Ebro.JPG, Manantial Ebro
image:Cementerio del pueblo.jpg, Cemetery in the village
image:Cristo crucifcado junto al altar de la Virgen del Rosario.jpg, Christ crucified next to the altar of the Virgin of Rosary
image:Detalle de la villa.jpg,
image:Detalle interesante del interior de la Iglesia.jpg,
image:Exterior norte de la Iglesia.jpg, Northern exterior of the church
image:Interior de la Iglesia con el retablo central.jpg, Interior of the church with the central altarpiece
image:Pila bautismal en un ángulo del fondo de la Iglesia.jpg, Baptismal font in a corner at the back of the church
image:Retablo y altar de la Virgen del Rosario.jpg, Altarpiece and altar of the Virgin of the Rosary
image:RETABLO E IMAGEN DE LA NATIVIDAD DE NUESTRA SEÑORA.jpg, Altarpiece and image of the Nativity of Our Lady
image:Santo Toribio, antiguo patrón de Azáceta.jpg, Santo Toribio, former patron of Azazeta

{{DEFAULTSORT:Azazeta
Populated places in Álava