A few kilometers out Machichaco, we found a small chapel built on a rocky peninsula that is accessed by climbing the 200 steps that separate the mainland.
is located on the Biscay coast, halfway between the towns of Bakio and Bermeo, so that we will reach BI-631 road from Bilbao to Bermeo, later followed by bi- 3101 Bakio direction.
View larger map
A recommended stop before going to the chapel, is Machichaco Cape, where we see the lighthouse and an overview of this area of \u200b\u200bthe Biscay coast, including the shrine of San Juan to which we are headed.
After this stop, we Bakio direction, and about 3 miles later, we find an iron sculpture that marks the place where we take an exit to the right that will lead us to the small parking lot at the foot of the stairs to the chapel.
Before arriving, we see that there are qualified small parking areas, since most likely all the way down you should find parking, so it is best to leave the car here and download the latest 300 or 400 meters walk while enjoying the views of the island with the chapel on its top and double arch formed by the force of water that has been eroding the rock of the island.
Once we are in the parking lot before climbing the stairs, we can see right Machichaco Cape we have been in a few minutes ago and to the left, an impressive rock cliffs in the days of heavy surf, the water breaks with fury.
At this point, we have to start driving by the stone bridge that leads to the narrow dirt road where we found several flights of stairs and a gazebo where you stop to rest and recreate the landscape.
During ascent, the ordeal will see several stations located in some corners of the road, and having their last stop at the top next to the chapel.
There are several curiosities, rituals and traditions to those who come up to the hermitage:
- One is given to the shrine three times for luck.
- Another speaks of the visitors / pilgrims who reach the top, must play three times hood to make a wish or drive away evil spirits.
- tradition also tells the San Juan Bautista landed in this area of \u200b\u200bthe Basque country, leaving several tracks in the area, one in the last step before reaching the shrine, so they say that if we put in place in it, an iron will.
Opposite the door of the chapel, there is a hostel where as a curiosity, we have a doorless shower room and separate from the rest of the building by a wall, which simply a hole in the ground from which we can see the ocean about 100 feet below. Already
either by the stunning views of the Cantabrian coast, its traditions, or simply because they know a place in our country, the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugache is a 100% recommended for a getaway.
0 comments:
Post a Comment