We must keep in mind that when we talk about the history of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe we are referring to the history of its architectural elements. With special emphasis on the hermitage. The Gaztelugatxe islet, of natural origin, was already in front of the Basque coast before the first urban centers were created in the area. Although the first written records date back to the ninth century, it is believed that the history of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe goes back even further. Unfortunately, documentation from this period is rather scarce. Although today it is a religious temple, it was not always so. Originally it was also a strategic space for the defense of Bizkaia. During the Middle Ages, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe acquired a strategic importance. It became a defensive fortress against attacks by pirates and invaders. Records indicate that it suffered and resisted several sieges, including raids by Norman pirates. For this reason it has suffered several fires throughout its history.
