Gaztelugatxe is a little island arranged in the Bay of Biscay simply outside the Spanish drift in Basque Country. The island is delegated by a little hermitage called San Juan de Gaztelugatxe committed to John the Baptist, that dates from the tenth century, however could be as ahead of schedule as the ninth century. With an alternate little neighboring island, Aketze, they structure an ensured biotope that reaches out from the town of Bakio until Cape Matxitxako, on the Bay of Biscay.
The island is joined with the coast by a narrow path, crossing a two-curve stone extension and the most eminent staircase comprising of in excess of 230 steps that prompt the isolation.
The little church on the rocks dates from the tenth century and appears to have originated from the Knights Templar. It was given in the year 1053 by Lady Tota Ortiz y Enneko López to the friar Zianno, of the religious community of San Juan de la Peña (Huesca), a standout amongst the most compelling cloisters in the medieval times.
The island is a key spot for controlling the coast. Truth be told, history states that Gaztelugatxe constituted one of the bastions of safety against the vanity and ravenous desire of Alfonso XI, the King of Castile. This hazardous nook was guarded in 1334 by seven knights who opposed the assaults of a organized army force for a month. Having failed to attack the island, the Monarch withdrew mortified. In 1593 it was assaulted again and sacked by Francis Drake, whose troops looted everything to be found in that asylum and diverted the recluse from the bluff.
Today, the serenity of the island, the stunning perspectives of the rough drift, the persevering sea pounding against the rocks and the herds of seabirds is the thing that drives guests to this not really remote island close to the towns of Bakio and Bermeo. The best place to visit the island is throughout spring and fall. Summer months are frequently packed with guests and the congregation is closed during the winter.
Gaztelugatxe
Source : Wikipedia