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Inland Villages

Gernika

Gernika

Gernika is a symbolic town for Basques and known worldwide due to the destruction suffered in 1937 in a bombing during the Spanish civil war, which was immortalized in the painting Gernika by Pablo Picasso. Here, also stands the Gernika Tree a millennial oak under which the General Meetings of Bizkaia were held.

You can know more about the history of Bizkaia in the Euskal Herria Museum and the Assembly House (Casa de Juntas). In the park that surrounds the building you can see El Arbol de Gernika and sculptures of Chillida and Moore.


Balmaseda

Balmaseda

The city centre has a medieval layout and great architectural richness that reflects the historical importance the city had at a certain time. We can highlight the San Severino Church from the 14th century and the San Juan Baturista Church from the 15th century and Renaissance style. The Bridge of Muza was originally built by the Romans; the one that currently exists is from the 12th century Romanesque style and was built on the ruins of the previous one.


Loiola

Santuario de Loiola

It is a large religious complex from the Baroque era built next to San Ignacio of Loiola birthplace . He was the founder of Compañia de Jesus (Jesuits). It is surrounded by large gardens and a large square. The basilica was designed by a pupil of Bernini and we can stand out its Baroque facade and its 65-meter dome.


Oñati

Oñati

It was a stately village in the 12th century. The Sancti Spiritus University stands out as a beautiful Renaissance building with a Plateresque facade and an interior courtyard decorated with a very original Mudejar coffered ceiling. Also, the Bidaurreta Monastery is a singular building built at the beginning of the 16th century.

Santuario Arantzazu

Arantzazu Sanctuary is 10 Km away from Oñati. It is situed in the same place where according to the leyend, a shepherd found a small effigy of the Virgin that you can see in the altar.

The architectural set is governed by the Franciscans and it is the most important modern work in the Basque Country. Important architects and sculptors taken part in the construction as: Sainz de Oiza, Lagorla, Jorge Oteiza, Eduardo Chillida, Néstor Basterretxea and Lucio Muñoz.


Tolosa

Tolosa

It was one of the first villages fortified by Castilian Kings. It is interesting visit some Churches as Santa María, San Francisco and Santa Clara from the 16th and 17th centuries. The City Hall with Baroque style. Idiaquez Palace from the 17th century now is a casino.

Moreover, Tolosa has an enormous gastronomic attraction. In december takes place the Large Steak Festival (Txuleton Festival) Tolosa beans are famous for their delicious taste and it is recommended to visit the original Gorrotxategi Chocolate Museum.