Ordizia Market

The Ordizia Market is impressive, and not only because of its imposing columns. The history of this market could fill an entire novel. Since the Middle Ages, the first trading gatherings began around the hermitage of San Bartolomé. It was the devastating fire on March 8, 1512, which left only one house and one church standing, that moved Juana "the Mad." Queen Joanna I of Castile granted Ordizia – then known as Villafranca – the royal privilege to hold a tax-free market every Wednesday of the year. The market became firmly established in the 18th century, and the arrival of the railway in the 1860s gave it a huge boost, lasting until today.

If you are a foodie traveler, you can't miss the Ordizia Market, which each season offers different products from local farms and nearby areas. Nearly fifty stalls offer an endless variety: pumpkins, apples, tomatoes, onions, chard, walnuts, sloes, broad beans, lettuces, or mushrooms and wild fungi, among others. You will also find artisan products such as organic jams, corn cakes, bread, quince jelly, and cheeses made from sheep, cow, and goat milk. Among the typical Basque products, you’ll find Tolosa beans, Gernika peppers, Basque cake, cider, txakoli wine, and of course, Idiazabal cheese. You’ll even find lamb and flowers!
At the Ordizia Market, you’ll have the chance to talk directly with the local farmers (baserritarras).

The market hosts extraordinary days, such as the Basque Fairs and Shepherd's Day, which are the most important celebrations. If you are in the Goierri region, don't miss them! In September, on the Wednesday closest to the feast day of the Virgin of Arantzazu (September 9), the Extraordinary Market is held, featuring a fruit and vegetable competition, cattle contests, product exhibitions, and the highlight: the cheese contest and auction, where cheeses are crafted by shepherds using raw milk from Latxa or Carranzana sheep, organized by the Idiazabal Cheese Guild. It's the "Champions League" of Idiazabal cheese! During the event, you can enjoy Basque folklore, with dancers, txistularis, and dulzaina players livening up the streets as the cheeses are carried to the Beti Alai Fronton.

Renowned Basque chefs such as Juan Mari Arzak and Pedro Subijana never miss this annual event. In fact, Arzak bought the winning cheese at the first auction in 1980 for 12,000 pesetas (72€). Since then, the prices have skyrocketed: in 2014, €13,050 were paid for half a piece of the winning cheese (around 550g), and in 2017, €8,200.

Another important event is the tasting of the first cheese of the season, which is celebrated in April, on the Wednesday of Easter week, at the Ordizia Market. During this event, a distinguished figure from the culinary world makes the first cut of the cheese, presenting the new Idiazabal cheese of the season.

If you decide to visit the Ordizia Market and immerse yourself in the gastronomic richness of Goierri, Hotel Salbatore in Beasain is the ideal place to stay. It offers 14 rooms equipped with free WIFI, television, and full bathrooms, all in a natural and welcoming atmosphere. It also includes a continental breakfast and has a restaurant serving a daily menu. With free ample parking, you can easily explore the Igartza neighborhood, the 12th-century bridge over the Oria River, the Igartza Palace, the 13th-century forge, and other highlights of Beasain — all while enjoying the comfort of Hotel Salbatore.