The Ultzama Valley is an area in the north part of Navarra province, a region in northern
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
that borders
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
. The area has been called "the
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
of Navarre".
Location
The
valley
A valley is an elongated low area often running between Hill, hills or Mountain, mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers ...
is formed by 13 small villages: Alkoz, Arraiz-Orkin, Auza, Cenoz, Eltxo, Eltzaburu, Gorronz-Olano, Guerendiain, Ilarregui, Iraitzoz, Juarbe, Lizaso and Urrizola-Galain. They all are small villages typical of mountain zones with big old houses and narrow streets. The architecture of the region has been described as "rectangular with gable roofs, plastered walls and ashlars on the corners and lintels, doorways in the centre and balconies across the facades."
Notable areas
Orgi Forest
The Orgi Forest is located in the south part of the Ultzama Valley, 25 kilometres from Pamplona. It is a millennial forest of eighty hectares. In the area, it is the only remaining oak woods that used to be common in the valley. A Natural Recreation Zone was created in this forest in 2000.
Other places
Other things to visit are the churches that most of the village have. This zone has always been highly influenced on catholic traditional religion and it can be seen in these churches.
There is an industrial zone in Alkoz where about 1000 people work, most of them local workers.
Gastronomy
The valley near Aralar is noted for sheep's cheese sold as originating in the Idiazabal area. This area is shared by Navarre and Guipúzcoa. The Ultzama valley also produces sheep's milk cuajada (junket) and, in the autumn, hongo beltza (black mushroom).
References
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Historical regions in Spain