Discover Arce

Arce offers you different starting points for deciding whether you would like to explore the area mainly through its Roman archaeology, architectural history or landscape. At Artzi, the focus is on its use as a road station; Santa María de Arce and the Palacio de Arce point to different periods of construction. The Río Urrobi, the Sierra de Labia and the Itoitz Reservoir add to the variety. This range of options can help you decide which themes will shape your stay in Arce.

Architectural history from the Late Romanesque period to restoration

Santa María de Arce is a Late Romanesque rural church dating from the late 12th century. Its exterior is decorated with a series of corbels bearing figures, including depictions of people playing the harp and carrying a barrel. These motifs add concrete details to the architectural context: as well as the period in which it was built, you can also look out for the figurative carvings on the church.

The Palacio de Arce is a historic 16th-century building restored by the Government of Navarre. It stands in the protected setting of the Church of Santa María, which was recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in 1983. As part of the restoration of the Palacio documented in 2024, its medieval wooden gallery and medieval square were restored. The church and the Palacio thus represent different architectural features and periods of construction, which you can distinguish when exploring the area.

Roman traces at Artzi

The archaeological site of Artzi served as a road station from the late 1st century BC. Another Roman attraction is the musealised baths of Arce/Artzi. After being consolidated and musealised, they were opened to the public. Information panels and a 3D reconstruction of the building offer further insight into the baths. Check the current access conditions before visiting.

The two sites reveal different aspects of the Roman past: Artzi is associated with the function of a road station, while the baths offer insight into a bathhouse and its reconstruction. This allows you to consider the historical context through different themes, rather than viewing both sites as the same type of archaeological site.

Landscape and connections in the Valle de Arce

Santa María de Arce is set in a landscape shaped by the Río Urrobi and dominated by the Sierra de Labia. EuroVelo 3 runs through the Valle de Arce and continues towards Aoiz. Another historical connection is the Roman road of Arce, which crosses the Valle de Arce in the river basins of Gurpegui and Urrobi.

These connections describe different aspects of the region: EuroVelo 3 is a route through the valley towards Aoiz; the Roman road is associated with the river basins of Gurpegui and Urrobi. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between a designated cycling route and a historical road connection, without assuming they are the same route.

Playa de Arce and visitor information

Playa de Arce/Artze is located in the northern part of the Itoitz Reservoir in the Concejo de Arce. It has 89 spaces, including three for people with reduced mobility. As these infrastructure details may change, we recommend checking them before travelling.

The restored Casa del Ermitaño is opposite the chapel and was one of the information points for the bathing areas in September 2025. Check the latest visitor information and regulations before your trip. Together with its location by the reservoir, this information can help you see the bathing area as a distinct focus alongside Arce’s archaeological and architectural heritage.

Discover more destinations: Uriz, Araitz, Larraga, Zariquiegui, Orkoien, Carcastillo, Oiz and Arraioz.

Back to the main travel overview: Navarre.