Parque Natural de Urkiola · Ayuntamiento de Abadiño

Sanctuary of the Saint Anthonys

Introduction

The Urkola Sanctuary is located on the mountain range of the same name, at one end of the Abadiño municipal district, in Bizkaia.

It stands in the very centre of the Basque Country.

It is in an extraordinarily beautiful setting.

Built 750 metres above sea level, it is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains, which include Mounts Amboto, Larrano, Aluitz, Haitz-txiki, Unzilahaitz, Mugarra, Eskubaratz and Saibi. It is set in a backdrop of pastureland and woodland, where birches, beeches, oaks, ashes and pine trees grow.

The original patron saint was Saint Anthony Abad, the patron saint of the countryside and animals.

Tradition has it that Saint Anthony de Padua came to Urkiola on one of his journeys. He spent the night in its Hospital and said mass in the Chapel of San Anton.

The Sanctuary has been dedicated to both saints since the 13th century.

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