Martiartu Tower - Disfruta Bizkaia

There are places that are remarkable because they don’t usually appear on the most common routes. The Martiartu tower in Erandio is one of those spots with history that a lot of people don’t expect to find so close to Bilbao. Its sober and robust profile, erected at a strategic position, make it one of the most outstanding examples of the old War of the Bands tower houses in Biscay.

The tower had residential and defensive attributes and, from when it was built to when it was abandoned, it was almost always inhabited. That double function helps understand its importance in the historical landscape of the area. It wasn’t just a military structure, rather it was also a symbol of the power of the lineages that controlled the territory.

Another thing that makes Martiartu special is its location. The tower was built at a point where it controlled the routes between Plentzia and Bilbao, in addition to several inland trails, which reinforced its strategic value in feudal Biscay. From the heritage route from Goierri to Erandio it’s also notable that the tower dominates the Udondo meadows, which explains very well precisely why that location was chosen.

In terms of architecture, Martiartu also has a very interesting reading. Its current appearance can be dated mostly to a 16th century building that is visible in the decorative cornice, but its walls speak of an earlier phase from the 14th and 15th centuries. That is, it’s not a site that was built all at once, rather it’s a tower that conserves several layers of its historical evolution.

That heritage value was officially recognised when it was declared a monument in 1995, which also includes the Goierri Erandio route Being included in the prominent heritage resources of the town confirms that we are not dealing with an isolated building without context, rather it is a relevant piece for understanding the local history and the network of War of the Bands era towers in the territory.

Part of the charm of the Martiartu tower is precisely that combination of architectural power and discretion. It doesn’t have the tourism draw of other large monuments, and because of that the visit gives you the feel of having discovered something very special.

In addition, the surroundings let it be easily included into a longer walk to see the heritage of Erandio. That makes it so the visit doesn’t have to end with just the tower, rather it can be part of a short cultural route through the area.

The Martiartu tower is, in short, one of those spots that shows a less well known side of Biscay, of its feudal past, the War of the Bands and the defensive architecture that still remains in some points of the territory. It’s a perfect place for people who enjoy discovering heritage sites that have character, history and a striking presence.

What makes the Martiartu tower special:

It’s a tower house from the War of the Bands era with a residential and defensive function.
It watched over routes between Bilbao, Plentzia and several inland trails.
Its current appearance dates from the 16th century, although it conserves elements from earlier phases from the 14th and 15th centuries.
It was declared a monument in 1995.