This village is one of the 26 villages, stretched out along the Esteribar Valley.  It is situated 9 kilometres from Pamplona, and 37 kilometres from Orreaga-Roncevalles. Its population at present consists of 40 neighbours, made up of 13 homes and a religious community. The village is divided into two separate districts ‘barrios’ by the main road. It is situated on the Santiago Way. The houses are built of dressed stone with semi-circular arched doorways and the window portals and symbols are typical of the architecture of the 17th and 18th century.

THE CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN

St. Stephen is the patron saint of the church. He was a deacon in the first Christian Community. The church dates from the beginning of the 13th Century and has not had any major alterations over the centuries. It is built of dressed stone. It is Romanesque in style and its barrel vaulted dome is pointed. 
Typical of the 13th century, the bell tower rises up from the choir section of the church and is supported by it. Its body is rectangular and the bells are situated in two arched windows. One of the bells, the smallest, bronze one, is said to be the oldest in the whole region of Navarra. It probably belonged to St. Saviour’s Monastery in Asiturri, which was situated, in earlier times, on the other side of the river Arga. It has a beautiful sound.
The main doorway is protected by a barrelled vault and framed by three decorated Romanesque arches resting on fascia and squared stone pillars. A wooden carving of Christ Crucified welcomes the pilgrim at the entrance. At the back under the choir you find a 13th century baptismal font on the left and on the right a spiral staircase which leads to the bell-tower. To continue one looks at the top of the central altarpiece the image of the Christ Crucified is to be found again set in an interesting landscape.
The main altarpiece (retablo) is 17th century and is attributed to Juan de Gasteluzar. It is mannerist in style and has a beautiful polychrome painting. It is inspired by the Anchieta School, whose workshop was in Pamplona. The statues are well formed; their carving is elegant and reflects a certain idealism. Each image has the symbol by which they are recognised within the Christian community: the gospel, sword, jar of perfume, etc...
Reflecting on them beginning from above:
First row: in the centre Mary being assumed into Heaven; on the left Engracia of Zaragoza and Catherine of Alexandria, and on the right, Mary Magdalene and Barbara.
Second row: in the centre the deacon Stephen, patron of the parish; on the left St. Michael the archangel, the apostle Bartholomew and on the right the martyr Sebastian and Frances of Assisi.
Third row, from left to right: John the Baptist, the apostle James as a pilgrim, (the second statue of James on the Camino), the Bishop Stanislaus from Poland and John the Evangelist.
The tabernacle is by Juan de Elordi, from the beginning of the 17th century. There are three little statues on the dome of the tabernacle: Jesus with his hands raised, Moses and Elias. Lower down different scenes from the passion of Jesus can be seen and underneath His Resurrection, framed by a tiny statue of the apostle Peter and another of Paul.
Other objects of interest: In the side chapel on the left side there is a small renaissance carving of the Virgin with Child and a carving of St. Joseph, also with Child, from the 17th century; in the side chapel on the right there is a canvas of Mary, the Mother of God with her Son, clearly influenced by the icons of the oriental Churches.

THE HERMITAGE OF OUR LADY OF SNOWS (‘LAS NIEVES’)

It is situated a kilometre from here on the opposite hillside on the old ‘camino’ to Olloki. It is 17th century and baroque in style. The dressed statue of the Virgin, which is on the left of the Main altarpiece, belongs to this hermitage. The fact that it is in this church is due to the hermitage having been frequently ransacked. Its value is solely devotional.