Ermita de Urrialdo

Ermita de Urrialdo is the ruin of a small medieval Romanesque chapel standing north of the village of Martioda, within the municipality of Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the province of Álava, Basque Country. Administratively, the site falls under the Cuadrilla de Vitoria, one of the territorial subdivisions of Álava built around the regional capital.

Where exactly are the ruins located?

The chapel sits in open, sparsely populated countryside roughly 10 km northwest of central Vitoria-Gasteiz, close to the boundaries of Martioda, a small locality within the municipality. It stands in the flat farmland of the Llanada Alavesa, away from any marked tourist routes, so reaching it takes a decent local map or some familiarity with the area.

Where does the name come from, and what is the history behind it?

The name Urrialdo originally belonged not to the chapel itself but to a settlement that once stood on the site. That settlement survived until the 14th century, when it was destroyed during the guerras de las banderizas — the factional wars fought between rival noble houses across medieval Álava. Only the chapel and an adjoining house came through that destruction. Over time the building was also known as Dulce Nombre de María, and the Marian image venerated inside carried the title Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.

What did the chapel's architecture look like?

Ermita de Urrialdo was a modest late Romanesque temple. It had a two-pitched roof, with eaves resting on plain, undecorated corbels. Above the entrance stood a simple bell gable with a single arch — a common feature of humble rural chapels in this part of Álava.

What happened to the building in the 20th century?

The chapel's fate was sealed in 1935, when a fire broke out in the adjoining house and spread to the chapel itself, destroying both structures beyond repair. It has stood in ruins ever since.

What still survives on site today?

Despite the damage, several elements remain recognisable: the entrance portal, fragments of a presbytery window, and the supports of the triumphal arch that once separated the nave from the sanctuary. The ruins fall under the general protection granted by Spain's historical heritage law (Ley 16/1985, published in the BOE, no. 155, 29 June 1985).

Is Ermita de Urrialdo worth visiting?

This is a destination for people interested in local history and rural walking routes through Álava rather than a conventional sightseeing stop — there is no visitor infrastructure, no marked trail, and no information point on site. A visit typically gets combined with a look around nearby villages of the Vitoria-Gasteiz municipality, such as Martioda, and a quiet walk through the farmland of the Llanada Alavesa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ermita de Urrialdo? It is the ruin of a small late Romanesque chapel standing north of Martioda, within the municipality of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Why is the chapel in ruins today? It survived the medieval wars of the bands in the 14th century, but a 1935 fire destroyed it along with the adjoining house, and it has remained derelict since.

Can visitors access the ruins? The site is accessible, but there is no tourist infrastructure — it appeals more to history enthusiasts and hikers than to typical sightseers.

Where does the name Urrialdo come from? It comes from a settlement that stood on the site until the 14th century, wiped out in the wars of the bands; only the chapel survived that destruction.