From legendary fortress to centuries-old chapel, discover the history of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Castle.
Everyone who enjoys our guided tours in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe asks us the same question: is the building at the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe a castle or a chapel? The answer is simple: it used to be a fortress, but today it is a chapel. In short, there is currently no castle in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Gaztelugatxe, which in Basque means “rocky castle” or “difficult castle,” was once one of the most important fortresses on the Basque coast. It was a strategic fortification connected to the mainland by a stone bridge and hundreds of steps. As we have mentioned, today, at the top of the islet, there is no castle, but rather a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. However, the rest of the architectural elements remain intact. If you would like to visit this small fortress with us, we recommend booking our guided tour here. Would you like to discover San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with us?
Transformation of the “castle” into a chapel.
As we have already mentioned, the origin of Gaztelugatxe can be found in the words “gaztelu” and “gatxe,” referring to a fortress located in an impregnable position on the coast of Bizkaia. You can find more information in the section on the meaning of Gaztelugatxe. In any case, what was once a medieval fortress used by the lords of Bizkaia is now a small chapel. This transformation took place after the fortress was destroyed by several fires and attacks. It was then, after one of these fires (in 1978), that the fortress was converted into the chapel we see today. It has undergone few changes since then. In any case, although it is a chapel, it remains a small fortress due to its strategic location and striking composition.
Game of Thrones Castle.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe brought Rocadragon to life in the famous series Game of Thrones. An impressive setting that, with the help of special effects, became a huge castle. Many of the people who want to see the home of House Targaryen come with the idea of finding a castle on top of Gaztelugatxe, but instead find a small religious temple. In any case, it is well worth a visit. Don’t forget that we offer specialized Game of Thrones guided tours for all groups who want to discover the Game of Thrones locations in the Basque Country.
Guided tour to the fortress.
During high season, we offer guided tours to the summit every day. This charming tour allows us to enjoy incredible views of the Basque coast. In this case, we manage the tickets ourselves. We can also help you plan your visit, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help you in any way we can. Remember that places sell out very quickly, so we recommend booking in advance here.
Contemplate the chapel from the sea.
If you don’t want to do the whole route, there is the option of viewing the chapel from the sea. This is a great option for families with children or older people who are unsure whether they will be able to complete the entire route. If this appeals to you, we recommend you take a look at our section on boat trips to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. If you finally decide to go ahead with this idea, we recommend booking directly from here.
Butrón Castle.
Although there is no castle at the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, there are several fortresses in the surrounding area. If you would like to visit one of them, we recommend a trip to Butrón Castle. This fortification is located in the neighboring town of Gatika, and we are sure you will be impressed. Remember that we offer guided tours combining Butrón Castle (exterior only) and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe throughout the year (experience available for groups only). This is a great option for those who want to learn about the history of Bizkaia in the company of a local guide. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are waiting for you!
