The Old Town brings together the past and present of Hernani. Here you will find a total of 19 historical monuments, as well as being able to pass through two of the five entrance gates that the town once had.
Along the circular route you will discover a municipal wash house built in 1016, as well as ancestral homes, religious temples and other symbolic buildings that form part of Hernani’s history. Some places not to be missed are:
Casa Portalondo / Torre de los Gentiles
This is a symbolic building from the mid-15th century that is believed to have formed part of the town’s old wall and was located next to one of its five entrances.
Gudarien plaza
This is the site of Hernani Town Hall, located next to the church of San Juan Bautista. The Town Hall is in a rectangular, four-storey building, supported by seven arches. In addition, one of the entrance arches to the town forms part of its ground floor, leading to the old Camino Real (Royal Road).
Church of San Juan Bautista
Located in Gudari Plaza, this is a single-nave temple with a Latin cross floor plan and polygonal apse (octagonal). The altar is located in the aforementioned apse, forming two chapels in the arms of the transept. The interior is Baroque in style and contains elements of notable historical and artistic importance, such as the main altarpiece, the tabernacle, the tomb of Juan de Urbieta and the organ, among others.
Dorretxea
Located in Kale Nagusia, 13, the Casa Torre (Tower House) is located in one of the powerful bastions that defended entry to the town. It is one of the oldest buildings and is believed to date back to the 14th century. With the passing of time, this building stopped being a fortress and became a home, at which time the layout of the floors was changed and extended, and the windows were opened up. It is worth visiting, as the building has preserved its essence, and its ashlar walls, pointed arch entrance and the arrow slit with embrasure, along with other elements of the building, are proof of this.
