PLACE: Elorrio (Bizkaia)

Elorrio is situated in the most eastern part of the province of Bizkaia, in the area of Duranguesado. It was founded in 1356 by Count Don Tello, 20th Lord of Bizkaia, and was walled for protection mainly from the Guipuzcoa raids through the territory. The only remains of the wall left today are the Don Tello Gateway, connected to the Arezpakotxaga Palace.

This was the scene of fierce fighting between the partisans that devastated the region in the Middle Ages. Its time of greatest splendour was between the 17th and 18th Century. The economic boom of the town is shown by its score of small palaces and by the 69 stone coats of arms found in the large houses. There are so many coats of arms, palaces and monuments that in 1964 the town was officially declared a Historical Monumental Town of Bizkaia. Without a doubt, this is one of the most interesting and beautiful towns from the point of view of its palaces.

Other important monuments worth mentioning are the Town Hall, from 1773; the magnificent Gurutziaga Cross, in its decadent Gothic style and unique in Bizkaia; the San Agustín Church of Etxebarria, with one of the best plateresque altarpieces in Bizkaia; or the Argiñeta Necropolis, with its Visigoth 9th Century tombs:

But Elorrio is not only famous for its palaces and monuments, but it was also the birthplace of the first Bizcaino to be named a Saint: Saint Valentín de Berrio-Otxoa. Born in 1827 in the Arriola Palace of Elorrio, he was sent to The Philippines in 1856. But his missionary spirit made him choose Vietnam as a destination, where Christians were persecuted. It was there that he met his death when he was decapitated by his enemies. Today his remains are laid to rest in the Purísima Concepción Basilica in Elorrio.