Basque Country Information:
GUIPUZKOA Information - The three temples |
Three styles for three local sanctuaries: Romanesque in La Antigua,
Zumarraga; Baroque in Loiola; and vanguard in Arantzazu. A circuit
of art and spi rituality through the Urola and Deba river valleys.
From Donostia, we will take the A-8 motorway as far as ZESTOA. From
here, having first stop ped to admire the lovely Palacio de Lili and
the famous local spa, we will continue the course of the river Urola
via the GI-631. We'll soon arrive in AZPEITIA, standing directly beneath
the massif of Izarraitz. Well worth a visit is the parish church of
San Sebastian de Soreasu, with its tall columns and, next to it, the
Mudejar-style house of the local musician, Juan de Antxieta.
Also interesting and unusual is the Museo del Ferrocarril, with its
ancient engi nes and wagons, not to mention an old station. Another
good place to visit is Ingurugiro Etxea, a centre specialised in explaining
the planet's envi ronmental problems. Standing bet ween the neighbouring
Azpeitia and Azkoitia is the magnificent LOIOLA SANCTUARY, with its
esplanade, its basilica topped with an enor mous dome, and the adjacent
house in which Ignatius de Loiola was born. Not to be missed. Once
in AZKOITIA, home of the Caballeritos de Azkoitia, a group of enlightened
Basque noblemen, we can visit Santa Maria la Real and admire the lovely
alterpiece. The organ played in this same church was the last one
made by the famous Cavaille Coli manu facturers. We'll make our next
stop in ZUMARRAGA in order to visit the Romanesque sanctuary of Santa
Maria, better known as "La Antigua", located on a vantage
point surrounded by mountains. This town is the birthplace of Miguel
L0pez de Legazpi, con queror of the Philippines, who was born in one
of the tower-houses still stan ding in the Artiz neigh bourhood. A
statue raised in his memory stands in the porticoed town square.
In URRETXU, beside Zumarraga, visit the parish church of San Martin
de Tours and take a look at the sta tue of I parragirre, the bard
who composed "Gernikako arbola" in the square of the same
name. Making our way through the centre of LEGAZPI will bring us out
at the Mirandaola forge, next to the hermitage evo king the miracle
of the Holy Cross. Leaving Udana pass behind us, we will come to one
of the gems of Gipuzkoa, the impressive village of OfilATI. In addition
to the harmony of its Renaissance Universidad de Sancti Spiritus,
according to some the best example of civil architecture in the Basque
Country, the parish church of San Miguel, with its cloister standing
over the river plus the several tower houses and mansions make Onati
one of those special places that simply do not exist elsewhere. From
here we will take the GI-3591 up to ARANTZAZU. This trip is well worth
the effort. Set in a splendid gorge beneath the Sierra de Aizkorri
(nature reser ve), this Sanctuary was constructed in honour of the
Virgin seen in a hawthorn tree by a young shepherd in the 15th century.
The new basilica of Arantzazu, built in the 1950s, is an impressive,
futuris tic-looking building. Back in Onati, we will head through
the Deba valley (GI-632 and 627) towards BERGA RA, where Generals
Maroto and Espartero brought an end to the Carlist War with what is
known as the "Bergara embrace". The Plaza de San Martin
accommodates the most symbo lie buildings: the Baroque Town Hall,
Jauregi House with its bas-relief and the Real Seminario Patriotico
Bascongado, presently home of the Open University. The church of San
Pedro de Ariznoa, and the unu sua I Agarre granary are other local
places of interest. Passing through Soraluze we will come to ELGOIBAR,
where we can admire the tower of the parish church of San Bartolome
and visit the Museo de la Maquina Herramienta before returning to
Donostia San Sebastian via the A-8.
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