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Salinas de Leniz, Leintz Gatzaga in Basque, is a small and charming village located in the southeast of Gipuzkoa.
Leintz Gatzaga, one of the most interesting villages in the interior of Gipuzkoa, gave us a very intense day thanks to the different points of interest with which this medieval village surprises. The salt museum, the Jakion project, the Sanctuary of Dorleta and the historic center, are the places of reference in Leintz Gaztaga, spaces to see and enjoy, which merge perfectly with the great representation of Basque gastronomy that we find scattered throughout its territory. This municipality hides spectacular places in its interior, do you dare to know them with us?
Information from Leintz Gatzaga.
- Population: 250
- Where to park: In the lower part of the municipality, next to the church, direction Museo de la sal.
- Altitude: 455 meters.
- Surface area: 14.7
- Website: http://www.leintzgatzaga.com
- Services: Museums, restaurants, hotel, fronton.
- County: Deba Garaia.
- Festivals: September 8, the patron saint festival of Our Lady of Dorleta and November 13, the feast of San Millán.
- Location: Deba Garaia, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country.
The town that concerns us today, the rural municipality of Leintz Gatzaga, has a great connection around the exploitation of salt, and is that the production of this gastronomic complement, was one of the reasons for the founding of this town. This is reflected both in the coat of arms of the town, which shows two dorlas with which salt was produced, as well as in its name, since Leintz Gatzaga means Leintz Salt Flats in Spanish. Thanks to the tranquility that runs through its streets and the great variety of green spaces that compose it, Leintz Gatzaga is one of those places that you fall in love with, that lingers in your memory. A village that we recommend visiting at any time of the year.
Leintz Gatzaga, a charming village.
The location of this small town in Gipuzkoa is ideal for exploring the interior of the Basque provinces of Bizkaia, Araba and Gipuzkoa, a route that shows us the essence of the Basque Country within a 30-minute drive.
History: The town of Leintz Gatzaga originated in 1331 as a result of its salt activity and the passage of the Camino Real, two constant features in the history of this town and two essential engines in the economic development of the region. Time seems to have stopped in the streets of this municipality, and, in addition to continuing to produce salt as in the past, its historic center preserves in very good condition the coats of arms, gates and stately facades that attest to the golden age that this town lived in the past.
Location: Leintz Gatzaga is located in the valley of Leintz, in the region of Deba Garaia, southeast of Gipuzkoa, 20 minutes from Vitoria-Gasteiz and about 40 minutes from Bilbao and San Sebastian. The urban center is located on one of the slopes of the valley, in the same place where the route of the Camino Real, the route that formerly communicated Castile with the sea, used to pass.
What to do in Leintz Gatzaga.
- HikingThe rural environment that surrounds the village gives us the opportunity to walk along its paths while we enjoy a beautiful view of the valley. Although the options proposed by the tourist office include going to the paradisiacal parks of Pagoeder, Iturritxueta and Bengoerreka, the guided visit to the source of the Deba river has become one of the most popular excursions.
- Buy Jakion products and saltJakion products, natural and handmade, merge with Leintz Gatzaga salt to offer two high quality culinary products. These products can be purchased at the Salt Museum of the town, in the store next to the fronton of the town or on the Internet. Undoubtedly, a great souvenir to take back home.
- Tasting its gastronomyLeintz Gatzaga is the village with the most restaurants per inhabitant in the Basque Country, a golden opportunity to taste the excellent Basque gastronomy in person. Of the 5 restaurants we found, we chose Soran Etxea, a hotel-restaurant located in a renovated 15th century palace that adds a certain charm to any gastronomic event.
What to see in Leintz Gatzaga.
- Salt MuseumThe Salt Museum of Leintz Gatzaga offers us to know the history of these salt mines through a tour in which we will have the opportunity to see in first person the production of salt.
- Sanctuary of DorletaThe Sanctuary of Dorleta keeps in its interior the patron saint of cyclists. A place where many cyclists come to give thanks for their successes.
- Historical centerThe historic center of Leintz Gatzaga is another of the great treasures of this Basque village. This space, formerly walled, still retains 5 of the 7 gates with which it had in its day. A small medieval quarter, consisting of only 3 parallel streets and a transverse axis that forms a maze of streets in the shape of an oval that surprises all who visit it. The fountain, located in the center of the historic center is along with the palaces and church, one of the emblems of this urban center.
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If you still don’t know Leintz Gatzaga, what are you waiting for? Scheduling a nice family day has never been so easy.
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