Cave of Zugarramurdi

Sorginen Leizea or Witches' Caveis the name given to the group of caves located on the outskirts of the town of Zugarramurdia small village in the western Navarrese Pyrenees. A macabre tradition links this natural monument with the practice of witchcraft, where in an Auto de Fe carried out by the Spanish Inquisition in 1610, 11 people were condemned to the stake on charges of practising sorcery in caves..

Truth or legend, the truth is that the caves of Zugarramurdi are stunningly beautiful. Although they do not have the expected stalactites, stalagmites or cave paintings, an underground stream runs through them. Tradition has it that this watercourse, called the Orabidea streamis born in hell itself. In Basque, they call it "Infernuko erreka". The river managed to excavate a tunnel 120 metres long and over 12 metres high.

Witchcraft route

Zugarramurdi is included in the Witchcraft Route. History tells us that until the 17th century, akelarres were frequently held inside the caves. Legends even say that pagan rituals involving the presence of the devil were frequent.

Fed up with receiving constant denunciations of witchcraft, the Inquisitor Valle-Alvarado took 40 suspects to Logroño. Of these, the Inquisition Tribunal condemned 11 to death at the stake. Five of these people were already dead at the time of the condemnation, so they were burnt at the sphinx. A sign at the entrance to the cave commemorates the names of these people.

To commemorate this past, every 18th August in Zugarramurdi, the traditional ".Zikiro Jate". It is a popular meal The main dish is roast lamb on stakes.

Zugarramurdi

This small village is just over the border. With a population of little more than 200 inhabitants, another of its attractions is the Witch Museum. Here, its inhabitants wanted to remember the Inquisition trials, and to show what the simple life of its inhabitants was like in the 17th century.

The space opened in July 2007. It is a place to tell the stories of the victims of the inquisitorial wave that swept the country, veiled among the folkloric images that show witches as beings capable of doing unbelievable things.

To shed more light on the witches, visitors can enjoy the audiovisual "The Witch Hunt", based precisely on the trials of the Inquisition.

Another walk that can be done is the Path of the Caveswhich joins those of Zugarramurdi with those of Urdazubi/Urdax and Sara. It runs through meadows and woods, with very little difficulty, for 6.75 kilometres. It is signposted with a blue horse.

Recommendations

The caves have stairs in many parts. Access with wheelchairs or pushchairs is not recommended. To enter the caves you should arrive at least half an hour before closing time.

The opening hours vary according to the season, so it is advisable to check them before visiting the site. Another indication is that dogs and other pets are not allowed in the caves.