Points of Interest 
Heritage Eighteenth century
Eighteenth century
Throughout the 18th century the region of Debagoiena is an exponent of important artistic works. Despite not being a very buoyant economic era, principal artists from within and outside the province were required to execute works that, thanks to the recent restorations, we can appreciate today in their maximum splendour.
The Carrera architects acted practically in all the towns of the region. They built bell towers, several palaces and the city halls of Arrasate-Mondragón and of Oñati. Oñati also offers us the opportunity to contemplate two magnificent altarpieces in their churches. The altarpiece of the Main Altar of the Parish of San Miguel and the Altarpiece of the Crowning of the Church of the Monastery of Bidaurreta.
The union of artists of the level of Miguel de Irazusta and Salvador Carmona resulted in one of the most impressive altarpieces of the 18th century, the Altarpiece of the Main Altar of Santa Marina de Oxirondo in Bergara.
In Antzuola the baroque plaza is interesting, created from the construction of the city hall, although it is also advisable to visit the Calvary crosses located next to the highway that leads to Zumárraga.
The most interesting monumental grouping of Antuola is found in the Plaza Mayor, in the centre of the town.
Its structure responds to the layout of the majority of the main squares of this era, concentrating in the same area the parish church, the city hall and emblazoned houses or palaces.
The City Hall follows the scheme of the Guipuzcoan city halls of the 17th and 18th centuries. Designed by Miguel Salazar in 1743, it has a portico with three arches in the lower body, a running balcony on the main floor and an enormous coat of arms of the town crowning the façade. This latter deserves observation since it incorporates the half-moons won from the Arabs in the battle of Valdejunquera, today recalled in the "Alarde" held annually in the third week of July.
Next to the road that leads to Zumarraga we find the Calvary crosses. The set is formed by three crosses of the 18th century of which the central one stands out with images that refer to the passion. Its interest is also related to the popular tradition of bringing children so they learn to walk.
After several centuries of prosperity and economic development, the 18th century signified the end and dissolution of the majority of the foundries that worked in the town. Despite them, important works such as the City Hall were accomplished. Designed by the Guipuzcoan architect MartÃn de Carrera in 1755, it stands in front of the parish of San Juan Bautista and gives as a result a typical baroque plaza of the 18th century whose visit will not be a disappointment. The most interesting part is the worked limestone façade. It is structured with an open entry portico with five basket arches, balconies on the first floor and, as a finish, a pediment to house the coat of arms that broke the line of the eaves.
Although it is an austere building it incorporates rich decorative elements placed around the spans. Mouldings, winged cupids, whorls and pebble work inspired by the French rococo style prevailing at the end of this century and that will be repeated profusely in the City Hall of Oñati.
The 18th century is intimately related in Bergara to the figure of the Count of Peñaflorida and to the Real Seminario Patriótico Bascongado created under the management of the Real Sociedad Bascongada de Amigos del PaÃs.
The current of erudite ideas converted Bergara in one of the most important teaching and research centres of Europe at the end of the 18th century.
The most significant artistic manifestation of this century is found, however, in a religious building, the Parish of Santa Marina de Oxirondo. The interior of this 16th century building is a haven of peace altered only by the magnitude and movement of the Main Altarpiece of Santa Marina.
Officially declared a monument, the architectonic part belongs to Miguel de Irazusta who created this imposing work between 1739 and 1742. In it, the absence of polychromy allows the spectator to admire the details of the baroque-rococo from a new perspective.
The images that decorate the centre and sides of the altarpiece are by Luis Salvador Carmona, master of the Madrid school. They are of great refinement, with delicate details that give agility to the overall work. In the central niche stands out that of Santa Marina, Flanked by the saints Abdon and Senen on the lateral panels. In the attic the Saviour is represented and on the sides the figures of four virtues.
Oñate continues being the headquarters of important artistic works during the 18th century. As an example of this, it is advisable to visit the city hall or the two magnificent altarpieces located in the two principal churches of the town.
In the Parish of San Miguel de Oñati, the Altarpiece of San Miguel of the main altar stands out. This altarpiece in baroque churrigueresque style was created by Juan Bautista de Suso between 1714 and 1717. The architectonic part appears polychromed and from it project several Solomonic columns giving movement to the entire piece. The Altarpiece of the Crowning of the main altar of the church of the Monastery of Bidaurreta was created in the 18th century as a substitute for one from the preceding 16th century. The new altarpiece is breathtaking. It is impressive for the baroque-rococo character of the architectonic work as well as for the quality of the sculptures attributed to José Sierra.
As an example of architecture of this era, we have the City Hall of Oñati. Created in 1764 by MartÃn de Carrera, it follows the structure of the city halls of the era although it incorporates fine decorative details in the rococo style that contribute to embellishing the façade.
