Necrópolis of Argiñeta and Hermitage of San Adrián, Elorrio

The Necropolis of Argiñeta and Hermitage of San Adrian form a medieval burial ground with roughly twenty sandstone sepulchers and five stelas. These are arranged in a rectangular layout around the small Renaissance-style chapel, which features a 17th-century cobblestone floor inside.

The cemetery was established between the 7th and 9th centuries and ranks among the oldest Christian burial sites in the region. The well-preserved tomb inscriptions are among the earliest written Christian records in Bizkaia.

The sepulchers show social differences through their design, with larger and more elaborate tombs built for wealthier people. You can see how the burial structures reflected the social order of their time when you walk through the site.

The cemetery is freely accessible during daylight hours and can be visited without an entrance fee. The hermitage itself is usually closed and requires advance notice to view the interior.

One of the tombs bears two inscriptions and is larger than the others, indicating that a married couple was buried together there. This joint burial is a rare feature among the medieval graves at the cemetery.

Location: Elorrio

GPS coordinates: 43.13991,-2.53597

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04