Burguete

Burguete

Burguete (Auritz in standard Basque and Ahuritze in the local variety; officially Auritz / Burguete) is a Spanish municipality in the Chartered Community of Navarre, located in the merindad of Sangüesa, in the judicial district of Aoiz, in the Añunamendi and Navarrese Pyrenees region, 45 km from the region’s capital, Pamplona.

Accommodation in Burguete

Hotel

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Hotel Rural Loizu Burguete

RESERVAR AHORA Hotel Rural Loizu: tradición, confort y hospitalidad en el corazón de Burguete En el pintoresco municipio de Burguete,

Albergue

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Albergue Lorentx Aterpea Burguete

RESERVAR AHORA Albergue Lorentx Aterpea: hospitalidad y descanso en el corazón de Burguete En pleno centro de Burguete, una pintoresca

Hostels in Burguete

Albergue

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Albergue Lorentx Aterpea Burguete

RESERVAR AHORA Albergue Lorentx Aterpea: hospitalidad y descanso en el corazón de Burguete En pleno centro de Burguete, una pintoresca

The Place Name Auritz / Burguete

The village of Burguete, located in the Basque-speaking part of Navarre, has an interesting and rich history behind its name. The settlement grew up on the plain at the foot of the famous pilgrims’ hospital of Roncesvalles. Interestingly, Burguete predates the founding of that hospital, which adds depth to its history. During the Middle Ages, the place was known by several names reflecting its connection to Roncesvalles itself, as well as other names including Burgo de la Plana, Burgo del Llano de Roncesvalles, Burgo de Roncesvalles, and Villa de Roncesvalles. However, several fires that struck the region in the fifteenth century led to a decline in its importance. In 1476, the place is mentioned in a register known as the Libro de Comptos, where it appears under the diminutive Burguet de Roncesvalles. Over time, since Burguete never grew into a large town, it came to be known simply and definitively as Burguete.

The village has also long been known by its Basque name, Auritz. This Basque-language name is ancient and its meaning uncertain. Some etymologists consider Auritz part of a series of place names in the Basque-Navarrese language ending in -iz or -itz. Julio Caro Baroja, a renowned researcher, held that these names derive from a personal name combined with the suffix -iz. This suffix, like others such as -oz or -ez, is thought to have evolved from the Latin suffix -icus, which was also the basis for some patronymics used in the Romance languages of the Iberian Peninsula. In the Basque-Navarrese region, Caro Baroja believed the presence of the suffixes -oz, -ez and -iz in place names indicated that, in ancient times, the place belonged to a person whose name appeared with these suffixes, tracing back from the Middle Ages to Roman imperial times. In the case of Auritz, some theories suggest Latin names such as Auricius, Aurius or Aurus may have given rise to the name. As a curious detail, the neighbouring village of Espinal, founded in 1269, is named Aurizberri, meaning “new Auritz” in Basque.

Demonym: People of Burguete

The demonyms used for the people of Burguete are ‘burguetano‘ and ‘burguetana‘, for men and women respectively in Spanish. In Basque, the demonym auriztarra is used for both men and women alike. These demonyms reflect the cultural identity of the population and their connection to the place where they live.

What to see in Burguete?

Iglesia

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Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari Burguete

Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari Burguete La iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari es una destacada iglesia católica ubicada

History of Burguete

People have lived in the area around Burguete since ancient times, as confirmed by archaeological evidence gathered over the years. For example, a necropolis — a burial ground — has been found near what is now Espinal, showing that human settlements existed here in the past. Various studies have also been carried out to trace the route of Roman road XXXIV, which ran from Astorga to Bordeaux. Researchers agree that this ancient road passed through the municipal area of Espinal and also through Burguete. Most scholars suggest that the Roman waystation known as Turissa, a resting place for travellers, must have stood not far from Espinal, though some argue its exact location does not match the distance usually expected between waystations along this route.

At the Zaldua archaeological site, southeast of the town of Burguete and within its municipal boundary, remains have been found indicating a thermal complex — a place where people could bathe and take hot-water treatments. This complex was linked by a stretch of road which, given its features and location, is believed to be the same road XXXIV. Large structures that may correspond to the former Turissa waystation have also been uncovered.

The earliest known documents mentioning the settlement of Auritz/Burguete refer to it as Roncesvalles. By the late 11th century, this settlement was part of the Erro valley and belonged to the royal patrimony. In 1080, it was granted to Sancho Sánchez, an illegitimate descendant of the royal family who held the title of Count of Erro and Navarre. Later, in 1127, a hostel for pilgrims was founded there, which would later keep the name Roncesvalles. A church dedicated to Saint Mary was built alongside the hospital, and thanks to royal donations and the support of the chapter of canons regular, the foundation gained renown well beyond the region. As a result, the town it depended on came to be known as El Burguet, and eventually simply as Burguete.

Over the years, the town reverted to royal control and, in 1197, became the seat of the local tenancy. During this period, a burgh of Franks was established within the town, causing a marked rise in population. As historian José Andrés Gallego notes, the present-day core of Burguete can be considered to have emerged in 1253, when it formally separated from the rest of Valderro. By 1274, Burguete was already recognised as one of the important towns represented in the Cortes of the Kingdom. Around that time it was granted the Fuero de Jaca charter, allowing it to govern itself independently of other local administrations. Its population consisted mainly of bourgeois families, who acquired significant economic power and held high office in central administration. This progress was interrupted, however, by a devastating fire in the town in 1399, which destroyed a large part of the Burgo, leaving around 124 houses in ruins. The town did not recover until the 15th century, though this did not stop the diminutive name Burguete from coming into use.

Because of the military vulnerability of Valcarlos, Burguete performed an important customs role for centuries. For this reason, from the 16th century onward the town kept a permanent garrison, leading to the building and improvement of a fortress that stood until the French destroyed it in 1794 during the War of the Convention. In the early 19th century, Burguete had a flour mill and its inhabitants were mainly engaged in sheep farming. Later in the 19th century, cattle and horse breeding grew in importance, and the population made a remarkable recovery from past hardships. Burguete is regarded as one of Spain’s most beautiful villages — so much so that the king is said to have recommended it as a place to visit. In summer the population grows noticeably, almost doubling, as many people choose this charming spot for their holidays. Several families have been rooted in the Burguete community for generations, among them the Tellechea and Aldarria families.

Burguete