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Meaning of Gaztelugatxe

There are several theories about the meaning of Gaztelugatxe. In any case, the word “Gaztelugatxe” comes from Basque, our language. This word can be broken down into two parts to better understand its meaning: “gaztelu” and “gatxe” (or “aitz”).

  1. Gaztelu: This word means “castle” in Basque. This part of the name refers to the fortified nature of the place. The hermitage, located on the top of the islet and accessible only through a narrow path, has a position reminiscent of a castle, but this word does not refer to the hermitage, but to the defensive function it had in the past.
  2. Gatxe or Aitz: These words can be translated as “difficult” or “rocky”. This describes the nature of the terrain and the difficult access to the islet. The road to reach the hermitage is winding and steep, which makes access difficult. In addition, the islet itself is rocky and abrupt, characteristics that are reflected in this part of the name.

Putting both parts together we get “Gaztelugatxe”, a word that could be interpreted as “the rocky castle” or “the difficult castle”, an appropriate description for this iconic corner of the Basque coast. Do you think that the significance of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe reflects both its physical nature and its historical significance? We will talk about it during our guided tours.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Hermitage