Destination - San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, N Spain [Explored 06-02-16]

            On the headland of a small rocky peninsula that juts out into the sea, between Bakio and Bermeo, rises the chapel of San Juan (St John the Baptist) de Gaztelugatxe (castle rock in Basque). It is said that if you ring the chapel bell three times you will attract good luck and ward off evil spirits.
 
The church is by no means the original. Over the centuries the church has burned down and been rebuilt several times. It is believed that the first hermitage that existed here was erected in the 9th century. In the 12th century, it became a convent. However, two centuries later, the friars abandoned it taking with them everything of value.
 
Later on, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe had a strategic purpose as a defensive outpost for the lords of Biscay. It was used as a bastion against the King of Castile, Alfonso XI. The seven knights from Biscay fought against him at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Alfonso XI was humiliated and was forced to retreat.
 
In 1596, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe was attacked again, this time by Sir Francis Drake and his corsairs. They looted everything they found and killed the hermit that was living there by throwing him off a cliff to the rocks and water below.
 
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe also played a role, albeit small, during the Spanish Inquisition. Witches and their ritualistic meetings known as Akelarre in Basque, make up a part of the Basque mythology. For this reason, the Catholic Church focused much of its time during the inquisition hunting for witches in the region. Several accounts seem to indicate that many of the accused were locked up in the caves of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
 
The church deteriorated over time and it was eventually demolished in 1886 and then rebuilt from scratch. Unfortunately, during the demolition process, all of the artifacts found in the ground, such as coins and cannon balls, were thrown to the sea.
 
The church is connected to the coast by a stone bridge and a walk of 241 stone steps.

Taken in: España / Euskadi / Bakio (show map)

Taken on: August 4, 2015

Tags:

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

st John the Baptist

chapel

christianity

steps

bay of biscay

building

basque country

spain

mythology

sea

waves

woman

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Groups appears in: • Spain • Paths we walk more » • Churches - Please read the rules before posting • Paths and Trails • Marine (3 per day) • Travel Photography • Church Exteriors • Churches, Chapels, Domes, Mosques, Temples, Shrines and Monaster • Landscapes!!! • Nikon DSLR & Z mirrorless UK • Natural Landscape & Wildlife Photos • Marinas / seascapes • Camera Camaraderie • A Photographer [No AI or SL] • TLP - Travel Light Photography • Glossop Camera Club • in explore • RUNNING LANDSCAPES • NIKON D750/D780 CLUB • ALL CHURCH EXTERIORS « less

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