The Roman Settlement of Forua is an archaeological site located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. It is the most important Roman site in Bizkaia, for its big area and its conservation conditions. It offers a glimpse into the region’s history during the Roman period, between the 1st and the 5th centuries AC.

Founded as a small Roman settlement, Forua served as a strategic hub for trade and resource management. Its location near the Oka River facilitated the transportation of goods such as iron and agricultural products, which were essential to the Roman economy.

This site was discovered in 1982 following the finding of two Latin inscriptions. Excavations at the site have uncovered remains of homes, pottery, tools, and evidence of metallurgical activities, highlighting its industrial and residential character. They have located up to nine different Roman structures, most of which are remains of workshops and metallurgical furnaces.

The settlement also includes traces of early Christian influence, evidenced by the remains of a 4th-century church, underscoring the cultural and religious transitions of the period.

Visitors to Forua can explore the ruins and learn about the daily life and economic activities of its ancient inhabitants.