Espejo is situated on flat, open ground and enjoys excellent communications. It lies next to the river Omecillo, and is traversed by one of the most frequently used natural routes going back to times long past. The village is at a mean height of 500 metres above sea level .
Its origins date from prehistoric times, going from the archeological remains found round about which are particularly significant in respect of the Romanization stage. An important Roman road passed through here on its way from Vindeleia (Puentelarrá) to Flaviobriga (Bilbao).
In the Middle Ages the salt produced at the nearby Salinas de Añana passed through here. The village can be split into two parts separated by the river Omecillo; the old village and the more modern district.
In the old part, the houses are not in line or evenly distributed, but are scattered in small groups isolated from each other by plots of land of varying size.
Certain pre-eminent houses with emblazoned façades (XVI and XVIII centuries) indicating that they belonged to more important families may be distinguished among those of rural character with the traditional architecture belonging to the district
The village is able to show us:
•Medieval Tower-House
This Medieval tower, built to keep guard over the roads and tracks, stands next to the river and the bridge crossing it.
It is almost square, the side walls being longer, four storeys high and tiled on the roof’s four pitches
A few loopholes on the ground floor are all that remain of the tower’s defensive system, it having lost its character as a fort during the course of various transformations carried out over the years.
The doorway is Roman arch.
•The Manor house of the Salazar family
The Salazar family’s Tower and its accompanying structures, one adjoining the right-hand side, is surrounded by property marked out by stone-topped walls.
•Coats of Arms
The Salazar Manor House carries a coat of arms of the family lineage on its façade, while the Medieval Tower-House bears the Luyando y Hurtado de Mendoza (XVI century) coat of arms on its upper part.
•Parish church
El Salvador is the patron of the parish church at Espejo. The church is circular in shape and has a Churrigueresque altarpiece, Roman doorway and rectangular tower at its feet. Behind the church is a secluded space overgrown with trees and bushes that prevent any sunshine from brightening the interior.
•Bridges
There is a bridge which crosses the river and also separates the two distinct parts of the village. It has a double slope on the way surface, three Roman arch spans, the centre one being wider than the end ones, and triangular cutwaters.
| Sports Facilities | Services |
|---|---|
| Covered pelota court Skittle-alley River bathing pools Football pitch |
Picnic areas Bed & Breakfasts Bars Food stores Caja Vital Kutxa branch office |