San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a protected coastal biotope located between Bakio and Bermeo in Spain's Basque Country, stands as a historic sea-carved island hermitage. The site has emerged as one of the most recognizable icons and heavily photographed locations along the Basque coastline.
A stone bridge connects the mainland to the islet, where visitors climb a winding stairway of 241 steps to reach the small chapel at the summit. Centuries of wind and heavy waves from the Cantabrian Sea have sculpted the surrounding landscape into natural arches, tunnels, and dramatic sea cliffs.
The Basque region features several prominent natural settings, including the Flysch cliffs, the Gorbea beech forests, the Urdaibai marshes, and the Oma Forest art installation. Among these locations, Gaztelugatxe is distinguished by its sculptural rock formation rising directly out of the water.
Screen fame and early history
International recognition for the site expanded significantly after it featured in the television series Game of Thrones, where Gaztelugatxe served as the filming location for Dragonstone. However, local history at the coastal outcrop dates back more than a millennium before its television appearance.
The current hermitage structure follows repeated reconstructions made necessary by fires, military battles, and ongoing environmental erosion over the centuries. Historians believe the initial structure on the site was erected during the ninth century.
By the twelfth century, the complex operated as a working convent. Religious monks occupied the remote coastal sanctuary for two centuries before abandoning the location in the fourteenth century, taking their valuable sacred objects with them when they departed.
Local traditions and seasonal visits
Visitors who complete the climb to the summit maintain a traditional ritual of ringing the chapel bell three times. Local custom holds that the action brings good luck and wards off evil spirits. Over the centuries, the island has also been associated with tales of sea pirates, witch covens, and folklore.
Travelers across the globe have repeatedly recognized the sanctuary, naming it among the most voted wonders and top-rated travel destinations worldwide. While summer draws crowds to the stone beaches situated at the foot of the staircase, many travelers choose autumn or spring visits for a quieter experience to appreciate the site's spiritual atmosphere.
