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The coastal village of Orio, situated 17 km west of San Sebastián, has a strong fishing and ship-building tradition, and has been very closely linked to the sea since its founding in the Middle Ages.
Situated on the banks of the River Oria, the longest river and the one with the greatest water flow in Gipuzkoa, which forms countless meanders before joining the sea at Antilla Beach. The river has traditionally been used by boats and forms a natural harbour, which had the effect of turning the enclave of Orio into a port. Around two centuries ago, the area beyond the river consisted of an expanse of marshes and dunes, areas, which – with the construction of dikes – were gradually reclaimed from the river and turned into farmland. Moreover, until the building of bridges in the 19th century, the estuary constituted a natural obstacle, which forced all those travelling along the coast to break their journey.
In Orio, there are numerous sites linked to the Way of Saint James’ Coastal Route. They include:
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MEDIEVAL ROAD
Next to the perfectly flat shore on which the village of Orio lies, the Igeldo – Mendizorrotz coastal range emerges. The contour of these hills is so steep that they form a barrier along the entire length of this part of the coast. The old path from San Sebastián crossed this entire range, as does today’s route. Walking down towards Orio, pilgrims will be surprised to find extensive, well-preserved sections of the old road.
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ERMITA DE SAN MARTÍN (CHAPEL OF SAN MARTÍN)
A beautiful, ancient chapel, situated on the outskirts of the village of Orio, in a splendid location, at the top of a hill with views of the Oria Estuary and the sea, in an area named after the chapel. The current building probably dates back to 16th century, built on top of and enlarging an earlier construction. The chapel contains three altarpieces depicting figures of Saint Martin, Saint Sebastian, Christ and Saint Anne.
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WAY OF THE CROSS
The Way of the Cross in Orio shares the same route as the Way of Saint James through the village, and also links its two main religious buildings, the Ermita de San Martin (Chapel of Saint Martin) and the Iglesia Parroquial de San Nicolás (Parish Church of Saint Nicholas). Most of the crosses are visible and accompany us along the way towards the town centre, through a rural area in which we find 16th century buildings with a clearly naval influence.
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KALE NAGUSIA (MAIN STREET THROUGH THE OLD PART OF THE VILLAGE)
The Way of Saint James goes through the mediaeval centre of Orio, thus giving rise to its “Kale Nagusia” or “Main Street”. The other main road from San Sebastián also helped shape the old part of the village of Orio. Its route passes alongside numerous ancestral homes, including examples of buildings from the 15th, 16th century as well as more recent ones. One of these buildings, the Palacio Iturriaga (Iturriaga Palace), has been renovated and turned into the Way of Saint James Interpretation Centre.
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FORMER PILGRIMS’ HOSPITAL OR “PIEDADIA”
The village’s former pilgrims’ hospital (devoted to Our Lady of Piety) was located in Orio’s “Kale Nagusia” (Main Street). For centuries, this building took in pilgrims, travellers and poor people in need of shelter. According to texts from the 16th century, at that time it had a hospitalero (volunteer warden who had walked the Way of Saint James) and around twenty beds. Today only traces of this building remain.
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IGLESIA DE SAN NICOLÁS DE BARI (CHURCH OF SAINT NICHOLAS OF BARI)
Walking down the Kale Nagusia, we reach the large, impressive Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari (Church of Saint Nicholas of Bari). It is a Renaissance building from the 16th and 17th centuries, constructed on top of a previous church from the 13th century. It stands on an extensive platform and is partially supported by powerful arches that rest on large pillars. Worthy of note is the large perimeter vestibule, encircling the temple like a covered walkway. The works of art worthy of note inside include the altar dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari, the patron saint of travellers and fishermen.
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ESTUARY
Until recently, Orio’s main street stretched as far as the Orio Estuary. In the past there was a pier here, from which a passenger boat service used to leave. The ferryboat was the only link between the two banks of the river, and the passengers, due to the lack of bridges, had to use this service in order to cross the estuary. However, pilgrims enjoyed a royal privilege and were exempted from paying the maravedí (Spanish coin) fare. This shows how important the Way of Saint James was at that time.
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