Al-Andalustik Lasarteko

Andalucians have a procession for Our Lady of Rocío each June. There is an Andalucian society in Lasarte with a few hundred members. These folks (or their parents) came to this area to work in the factories a generation ago and continue to engage in festivals like this one. It is an excellent way to see some pretty fabulous ruffled dresses and snakey-arm dancing, and to eat fried stuff. The gathering attracted Andalucians from several nearby towns, each of which had its own tent, with an obligatory ham stand and box of wine. It was, fortunately, one of the few hot-sunny summer-like days, for a good turnout.

A Summer Palace for the Queen

 Queen Maria Cristina commissioned Miramar Palace, which overlooks the Kontxa Bay. It was the summer home of Spanish royalty, and then briefly, the summer home of the president of the Spanish republic. Then it went back to royal hands, and is now municipal property. It is used for University of the Basque Country and Musikene summer classes, and it is one of the best places in town to sit on a bench with a book in the shade on sunny days.

Sycamore 'fence' at a different location.