Izurtza

Izurtza (in Basque and officially, in Spanish Izurza) is an elizate, town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country, Spain. Izurtza is part of the comarca of Durangaldea and has a population of 270 inhabitants as of 2010 and according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute.

History

As happens with most of the elizates, the origins and date of foundation of the town are unknown. According to the local tales, the tower of Etxaburu, which is located on a hill above the town, was built following the orders of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. The tower was afterwards destroyed by Henry IV of Castile and built again in the 16th century by Sancho López de Ibargüen. Also on this century the church of the town, named San Nicolás Obispo was built. Izurtza was part of the merindad of Durango, and it had voice and right to vote in the Juntas of Guerendiaga, where it occupied the seat number eleven.

Geography

Location

Izurtza is located in the southeastern part of the province of Biscay, northern Spain. It is one of the smallest municipalities of the province by extension. It limits at north and west with Durango, at south with Mañaria and at east with Abadiño.