Inaugurated for worship in 1643, the Church of San Juan Bautista boasts an austere façade, a blend of Neoclassical and Baroque styles. In its niche, a serious-looking Saint John the Baptist, the work of the French sculptor Juan de Lane, has gazed down upon us since 1731. The vault, built around 1700, adds a touch of majesty to the church.
The main altar, with its reredos erected in 1708, houses a beautiful image of Saint John the Baptist, sculpted by Felipe Arizmendi de San Sebastián. On either side, carvings of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, also by Arizmendi, flank the central figure, lending a solemn air to the complex.
As you raise your gaze, you discover a painting depicting the Visitation of Our Lady, by the Bilbao painter A. Cuadra, which adds a heavenly touch to the church. Among the side altars, that of Our Lady of the Rosary stands out, with two beautiful polychrome images of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne that frame the central figure, radiating serenity and devotion.
In the third arch, a modest niche houses an image of Christ crucified. It is said that this is the same image venerated by the famous Admiral Laya, who married a daughter of Pasai Donibane. The figure, with its serene expression of sacrifice, seems to whisper stories of devotion and eternal love.
As we emerge from the shadowy arch, daylight reveals two monuments standing in the small square, known since ancient times as the Plaza de la Piedad. These monuments, silent guardians of history, evoke a sense of reverence and respect, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.
The Plaza de la Piedad, with its tranquil atmosphere and monuments laden with meaning, becomes a sanctuary of peace amidst the daily bustle. Here, every stone and sculpture tells a story, weaving a tapestry of memories that endure through time.
As you walk down the street toward the square, after crossing the second archway, the Casa de los Miranda rises majestically. This 16th-century Renaissance building dazzles with its magnificent main façade.
On the ground floor, now partly used as a Retirement Home, a central door opens flanked by two columns half-embedded in the wall, crowned by two coats of arms. On the coat of arms on the right, two lions face each other, one with a riddle in its mouth, difficult to decipher. The other coat of arms, blurred and indecipherable, holds its secrets in time.
This building, a witness to bygone eras, invites you to imagine stories of yesteryear, whispered through the stones and symbols that adorn its façade.
On the right side of the majestic Miranda building, a discreet door opens onto a world of history and literature. It was here that the celebrated French Romantic writer, Victor Hugo, found refuge for a few days, enthralled by the beauty and charm of this spot. His writings, full of praise, reflect the love and admiration he felt for this place.
Victor Hugo’s stay in this house left an indelible mark, transforming the building into a literary sanctuary. Every corner of the house seems to whisper the words of the great writer, enveloping visitors in an atmosphere of inspiration and nostalgia. Victor Hugo’s presence is felt on every wall, in every window that looks out onto the landscape that so captivated him.
For this reason, this building is known as “Victor Hugo’s House,” an eternal tribute to his time here. Here, history and literature intertwine, creating a space where past and present coexist in perfect harmony, inviting everyone to discover the magic that once captivated the great master of Romanticism.
A few steps further, in that charming little square, we have the opportunity to ascend the steps that rise before our eyes. These steps will lead you to a beautiful walk, a path that winds up to a small hermitage, erected high above, overlooking the entire bay with a majestic view.
This hermitage, dedicated to Saint Anne, the Mother of the Virgin, is a refuge of peace and devotion. The polychrome image of the saint, brought from Holland in the 16th century, adds a touch of history and art to this sacred place. Every detail of the image reflects the devotion and care with which it was created, inviting visitors to serene contemplation.
Upon arriving at the hermitage, the air is filled with a reverent calm, and the landscape that unfolds before your eyes seems to whisper stories of faith and hope. This sacred spot, elevated above the bay, offers not only a breathtaking view but also a space for reflection and spiritual contemplation.
This 16th-century shrine stands as a testament to the popular and Mannerist style. A leafy laurel tree shelters it, creating a sacred refuge where time seems to stand still. The shade of the laurel invites contemplation and contemplation, enveloping the place in an atmosphere of peace and reverence.
Inside, an engraved inscription tells a story of gratitude and devotion. “In thanksgiving for the victory achieved and in fulfillment of the vow made to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the era of 814, when we went to Orreaga and the Pyrenean pass now called Roncesvalles, to fight against the army of Charles the Great, King of the French, with our people of Vasconia, for himself and for his companions from Pasajes, victors. Juanes de Ubilla made me.” These words, carved in stone, resonate with the power of history and faith.
The shrine, with its protective laurel and venerable inscription, becomes a sanctuary of memory and spirituality. Here, every visitor can feel a connection to the past, gratitude for the victories achieved, and the devotion that has endured throughout the centuries.
