Arantzazu

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.

Aranzazu is situated in the Aizkorri region, which is dramatic and mountainous.

The stained glass was done by the Franciscan monk Javier Alvarez de Eulate.

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.

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.

 

Sculpture of the apostles by Oteiza, at the entrance.

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.