The San Andrés Mill is located
between Huarte and Villava, at the confluence of the rivers Arga and Ultzama, at the heart of the
Arga River Park and next to the shrine of the Trinidad in Arre. Inside, the exhibition
Cruce de Caminos (Crossroads) reminds us that, barely 900 metres away, we find the junction of the two branches of the
St James' Way —the French route and the Baztan route.
The old mill was built in the sixteenth century by the people of Huarte and Villava to grind wheat, corn and other cereals. In the nineteenth century it housed a hydroelectric plant that supplied Villava with electricity. It has recently been restored as an
exhibition space on the different uses of the mill and, together with the
Fulling House of Villavacomprises the River Park Information Centre and a recreational venue with a strong educational content.
The building has two floors. The
ground floor is used for the reception hall, an exhibition area, a classroom for screenings, a turbine hall (260 m2) and a bar. The
first floor houses an exhibition and games area, another part of the turbine hall and the toilets. The site also includes a small café next to the garden, a perfect
place of recreation covering about 3,000 m2, with tables and chairs where pedestrians and pilgrims can rest.
The recovery and commissioning of the hydroelectric plant and the reconstruction of an old flour mill show the traditional uses of water energy, allowing visitors to see how water can be transformed into electricity and electricity into movement.
Guided visit
Price of the visit:
gratis.
Opening hours - Todo el año:
sábados, domingos y festivos a las 12:00, 13:00, 18:00 y 19:00 con reserva previa. Visitas para grupos de adultos y escolares concertando con antelación.