Larrabetzu
Camino del Norte
Larrabetzu is a small, outspoken village in the Basque fight for independence. Walk through and you'll notice it — the walls are painted with murals, the lampposts are plastered with political banners, and the sentiment is unmistakable. During the Civil War, this area was part of the Cinturón de Hierro (Iron Belt) — a line of trenches and fortified bunkers on the surrounding hillsides designed to defend Bilbao from the Nationalist advance. The defense failed, but the political conviction never waned.
Beyond the politics, it's a pleasant village surrounded by txakoli vineyards. A bar and basic services are available.
San Isidro, the patron of the town, is celebrated on the 15th of May.
The Cinturón de Hierro was a system of fortifications built around Bilbao by the Republican government in 1936-37. The defensive line, which passed through the hills around Larrabetzu, was betrayed when its architect, Captain Alejandro Goicoechea, defected to the Nationalists with the plans. Bilbao fell in June 1937. Remnants of the trenches and bunkers can still be found on the hillsides.
The camino turns right at the entrance to Larrabetzu, leaving the main road behind. In town it turns right and begins to follow a different road directly to Lezama.
Accommodation in Larrabetzu.
| Albergue de peregrinos de Larrabetzu Donativo€ 20 |
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| Casa Rural Miamendi Booking.com |
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