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Unesco declared Urdaibai a biosphere
reserve in 1984. It comprises a large marsh formed by the
river Oca as it flows into the sea, thereby providing a rich
source of food for a large variety of seabirds. Inland, Gernika
is situated at the vertex of this enormous delta. Gernika
is the town immortalised by Picasso in his painting of the
bombing raids perpetrated during the Civil War. It is also
the town where in ancient times the Lords of Vizcaya took
their decisions in the shade of a large oak tree, the Oak
of Gernika.
Nearby, you can visit the Santimamiñe caves, well known for
their prehistoric paintings. And on the coast, you can visit
Elantxobe at one end of the river estuary and Bermeo at the
other. Both towns have a long seafaring tradition and celebrate
festivities in remembrance of centuries-long disputes over
the island of Izaro, which is situated halfway between them.
You should not forget to take a walk through the forest of
Oma, where the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola has created
picturesque shapes and figures in several colours in harmony
with this natural space. In short, Urdaibai represents an
important part of the history, culture and natural heritage
of the Basque Country. |
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