Urkulu
Encyclopedia
Urkulu is an iconic mountain in the Basque Country straddling France and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

. The summit is located in the western Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...

, within walking distance from Roncevaux and close to the branch of the Way of St James crossing the mountain range at the historic pass
Roncevaux Pass
Roncevaux Pass is a high mountain pass in the Pyrenees near the border between France and Spain. The pass itself is entirely in Spain.According to tradition, it is the site where Roland died during the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778, a landmark in Basque history leading to the foundation of the...

.

The main feature of the mountain lies on the remains of the tower topping the summit, dating from the Roman times and apparently erected to celebrate the conquest of Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...

. However, with the summit providing an excellent view over the northern and southern slopes alike, it was used as a watchtower in Medieval and Modern times.

The mountain is easily accessible from the old arms factory of Orbaitzeta
Orbaitzeta
Orbaitzeta is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-History:On 15-17 October 1794, the Battle of Orbaitzeta was fought in the area. General Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey led the French Army of the western Pyrenees to victory over General...

 in Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...

 and Béhérobie (via the Organbidexka pass) in Lower Navarre
Lower Navarre
Lower Navarre is a part of the present day Pyrénées Atlantiques département of France. Along with Navarre of Spain, it was once ruled by the Kings of Navarre. Lower Navarre was historically one of the kingdoms of Navarre. Its capital were Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Saint-Palais...

, besides being located on the trekking trail stretching east to west along the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, the GR 11.
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