Train Route 7: Durangaldea BUS What the stones tell us (Termibus) A3923 - Bizkaibus

The palaces and stately homes made of solid stone and carved masonry Durango surround us in , whispering the secrets if the Durangaldea nobil- ity, before we turn our eyes to the marvellous sights offered by Urkiola Natural Park. Before reaching this stately town in the heart of the coun- Elorrio tryside, we can stop en route and take a family outing along the Arrazola Greenway, a walk beneath the impressive rocky walls of the Anboto.

To take this route, catch the Bizkai- The same A3923 bus takes you back It is also interesting to visit the cra- busA3923 bus from the Termibus to Elorrio. This town is impressive zy fountain or Iturrizoro, the frontón station in Bilbao which leaves every due to the number and quality of the court, pass by the 9 crosses and dis- hour and whose last stop is Elorrio. private and religious constructions, cover the numerous coats of arms on But you can also stop on the way in particular the numerous palaces the walls. Not without reason is Elor- 38 in , an excellent location 39 and stately houses from the 17th and rio the town in Bizkaia with the high- for a family outing. The former Du- 18th century including those of Urki- est number of crosses (in particular rango-Arrazola railway line, between zu (Tola), Arabio, Altzerreka Mendiola, the impressive rocky walls of the An- the Kurutziaga Cross) and coats of boto, is now known as the Arrazo- Arespakotxaga, Zearsolo (Casa Jara) arms. Wandering along the streets la Greenway, a 10 km flat and easy and Olazabal (Modet). From the six you will come across Errebonbilloa, route, which you can cover in two gates of the medieval wall, the Portal a bronze statue which represents the hours, there and back. del Campo and Portalón del Río still soldiers of the town who took part in stand. The most important religious the battle of Lepanto. An essential vis- architecture includes the Purísima it is to the Argiñeta Necropolis, one of Concepción Basilica, the Monastery the most important funeral monu- of Santa Ana and San Agustín church. ments in Euskadi. San Valentín de Berrio-Otxoa, the most popular character from the town, was born in Arriola palace. A Arrazola Greenway missionary in Asia, he was killed for refusing to give up the Christian faith. His remains lie in the Purísima Con- If you feel like walking a little fur- cepción Basilica, the grandest in Biz- ther, an hour from El Tope, the end of kaia in terms of volume and quality of the greenway, will take you to some construction, the impressive fittings, Puerta del Campo in Elorrio beautiful views and an emblematic the bell tower which is a replica of the spot: the peak of Betsaide, the point at which Araba, and Bizkaia Giralda of Seville and the altar, an ori- To get back to Bilbao take the A3923 ental inspiration. come together. Bizkaibus where we got off. Elorrio