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| The Sanctuary of Aranzazu is an important center of Basque culture and Catholicism. The idea is that the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherd here in the 1400s. Having suffered a number of fires over the years, the actual basilica is relatively modern and features work by the artists Oteiza and Chillida, among others. |
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| Aranzazu is situated in the Aizkorri region, which is dramatic and mountainous. |
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| The stained glass was done by the Franciscan monk Javier Alvarez de Eulate. |
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| Given its isolation, Aranzazu was a place where people could go to mass, publish books, and otherwise communicate in Basque during the Franco years, which was a punishable offense in better monitored areas. |
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| There are a number of trails running between Aranzazu and other shrines. A friend of mine did a segment that ended up totaling 45 kilometers, in one day, out of improvisatory planning. That would be quite the strenuous hike. |
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| Sculpture of the apostles by Oteiza, at the entrance. |
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| In addition to stalls of overpriced local foods and the souvenir shop, people come to Aranzazu to have...their cars blessed, for an offering. Or similar requests. Photo credit: my brother-in-law. The Basque Country is not thought to have been Christianized until the 1100s or later, with the older pagan traditions living alongside Christianity probably until the 14-1500s. |
