Castle of Irulegi

The Castle of Irulegi sits within roughly rectangular defensive walls that enclose an area of about 569 square meters. These curtain walls, constructed to protect the fortress, are punctuated by cylindrical towers at each corner and a central tower on the southern side. The southern wall remains the best preserved section, showing signs of upkeep from the castle’s period of active use and featuring a small gate. The main entrance once stood on the northwest side near a cliff, where archaeological remains reveal the foundations of a large gate and a paved vestibule measuring nearly ten square meters. Embedded in this paving was a single-piece stone hinge, about 22 centimeters in diameter, used to support a door, along with worn steps indicating frequent passage.

A notable architectural feature of the castle is its pentagonal keep, situated on the southern curtain wall’s central right section. This tower’s formidable walls average two meters thick, with some sections exceeding four meters in height today. The keep distinguishes itself from other Navarrese castles through its unique five-sided shape, which resulted from a 1416 modernization designed to resist artillery attacks. Below the keep on its southern side lies a rectangular chamber covering 14 square meters, interpreted as a chapel. This space shows evidence of several construction and occupation phases, reflecting its religious function within the fortress.

Along the northern wall, three rooms were constructed in sequence and date to the early 15th century. These appear built atop the original floor paving, signifying later adaptations of the castle’s interior spaces. Adjacent to the chapel is a large, L-shaped room running parallel to the southern and western walls. Although only part of this area has been excavated, it likely served important domestic or administrative purposes within the fortress.

Connecting with the entrance vestibule, a circular northwest tower includes a small stepped passage and occupies an estimated area of about 11 square meters. Near this tower, sandstone paving arranged at two levels is found in the northeastern portion of the enclosure, indicating planned flooring and possibly differentiating areas within the courtyard.

Water supply was ensured by a sizable cistern carved into natural rock, measuring roughly 3.85 by 4.25 meters in area and standing over three meters high. This reservoir could hold an estimated 54,000 liters of water and was probably covered by a vaulted roof before the castle’s demolition. Within the castle courtyard—known as the patio de armas—a paved surface covers approximately 42 square meters, indicating a carefully maintained open space inside the defenses.

Beyond the medieval fortifications, excavations uncovered the earlier Iron Age settlement at the base of the castle hill. This area covers at least 370 square meters and includes two houses with a total area of 70 square meters, as well as a main street about four meters wide. The findings illustrate a well-organized community that predated the fortress and was destroyed during late Iron Age conflicts.

Among the most remarkable artifacts discovered at Irulegi is the “Hand of Irulegi,” a bronze plaque shaped like a right hand, measuring roughly 14 by 13 centimeters and weighing nearly 36 grams. Made from an alloy of tin, copper, and lead, this object features an inscription on its back composed of 40 ancient characters arranged in four lines. The inscription is believed to have had a ritual purpose, possibly offering good fortune and placed at the entrance of a dwelling. The plaque’s back shows stylized nails, while the palm side is smooth. A small hole near the wrist suggests it was attached to wood. Uniquely, its inscription combines two engraving methods—first incised lines, then a dotted technique—resulting in a distinctive form among ancient Western writings.

Together, these architectural and archaeological elements reveal the Castle of Irulegi as a complex site with a layered history spanning from the Late Bronze Age through the medieval period, embodying both defensive and domestic functions while preserving traces of the ancient Vasconic culture.