Stunning architecture in the Basque Valley
A Pilgrimage Along Spain's Atlantic Coast – Gipuzkoa Region
This charming town is located in the heart of the Basque region (Euskadi), nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by lush green mountains on all sides except the south, where the massive Aloña limestone formations dominate the landscape. In fact, the name Oñati in Basque (Euskera) means "a place full of hills." The painter Ignacio Zuloaga referred to it as the "Basque Toledo" for its majestic and spectacular beauty. Visiting Oñati is like exploring a variety of artistic styles, encompassing everything from Gothic carvings in churches, hermitages, and towers to avant-garde art in Arantzazu. Upon arrival, we were immediately captivated by the courtyards of the Bidaurreta Monastery and the Poor Clares Convent, built in the early 16th century. We then strolled through the streets to Foruen Emparantza (Fueros Square), the Church of San Miguel, and the University of the Holy Spirit, marveling at the layered towers, palaces, monasteries, and ancestral homes that showcase styles ranging from Gothic to Neo-Gothic. The most iconic monument in Oñati is the university, whose façade features a Plateresque design blending Renaissance elements. It is one of the most significant examples of Renaissance architecture in the Basque Country. Equally striking are the Gothic Church of San Miguel (with its Baroque tower), the beautiful 16th-century cloister (through which the Ubao River flows), and the Neo-Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity. In the outskirts of Oñati, we discovered the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Arantzazu (Virgen de Aranzazu), a modern and monumental sacred site.