PARQUE NATURAL DE GORBEIA

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Gorbeia Natural Park

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Gorbeia

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The Gorbea Natural Park is located between the historical regions of Bizkaia and Alava, around the Gorbeia Mountain with 1.481m of altitude.

The 70% of its surface is occupied by beech, oak, and pine woods. In its peak, you can see the famous Gorbeia Cross, which is 18m height.

Countless shacks and sheepfolds spread out the meadows of Gorbeia, as a reflection of an important pastoral tradition. We also find constructions such as forges or farmhouses with a typical rural architecture.

THE GORBEIA IS THE SCENE OF MANY STORIES OF THE BASQUE MYTHOLOGY WITH LAMIAS, WITCHES, AND 'GENTILES' AS PROTAGONISTS.

In this Natural Park, we can find a wide faunistic range. Among the species living here, it must be brought out the presence of several animals classified as endangered species in the Basque Country, i.e. the otter, the Pyrenees desman, the grey wagtail or the aquatic blackbird, or the stag, the emblematic specie of the park.

The Gorbeia is the scene of a multitude of stories from Basque mythology with lamias, witches and gentiles as protagonists.

Noteworthy is the emblematic CROSS OF THE GORBEIA that on the occasion of the end of the nineteenth century and the entry into the twentieth century Pope Leo XIII recommended that crosses be erected on the highest peaks of the mountains to honor Jesus Christ Redeemer.

On NOVEMBER 12, 1901, Tuesday, the first Cross, 33 meters long, was blessed. DECEMBER 12, 1901, Thursday, the first Cross fell, after the WINTER OF 1902, the works of the 2nd Cross began and only managed to reach 23 meters of construction when a strong storm was coming without having even placed the arms nor Fasten them with four metal cables.

On February 12, 1906, Monday, the second Cross falls and finally THE CURRENT CROSS IS THE THIRD ONE THAT RISES IN THE SUMMIT OF MONTE GORBEIA with 17 meters of height, however, of this third there is no exact data of dates of its inauguration, so it is not known if there was one.