This is not a tourist attraction and may not offer toilets, parking, or other services. Visit at your own responsibility.
Irugurutzeta furnaces are one of the most interesting industrial heritage sites in the Basque Country. Hidden in the green valley of Aiako Harria Natural Park near Oiartzun, these old iron ore calcination furnaces offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the mining and industrial history that shaped much of Gipuzkoa during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The furnaces formed part of the important mining activity that once existed in the surrounding mountains. Iron ore extracted from nearby mines was transported to Irugurutzeta, where it was heated inside large stone furnaces in order to remove impurities before being sent to factories and foundries. This process helped improve the quality of the mineral and made transport more efficient. At the height of industrial activity, the valley was full of miners, railway tracks, workshops, and mining infrastructure connected to the wider iron industry of the Basque Country.
Today, the restored furnaces remain as one of the best-preserved examples of this type of industrial architecture in Gipuzkoa. Visitors can walk among the large stone structures and better understand the harsh working conditions of miners and industrial laborers during the industrial revolution.
The site can accessed by car and park near the Central de Irusta / Hirugurutzeta. It’s also very close to famous Ola Sagardotegia, where you can experience a traditional basque cide house meal and experience.
For visitors interested in industrial heritage, hiking, and Basque history, Hornos de Irugurutzeta offer one of the most atmospheric and unusual excursions in Gipuzkoa.
More info: https://www.bidasoaturismo.com/en/lugares/irugurutzeta-4/
Updated on May 11, 2026
