Page:A Handbook for Travellers in Spain - Vol 1.djvu/298

196 ancient in the Basque provinces. Obs. two curious tombs which it contains. The altar in the '''Ch. of Santa Ana''' was raised in 1774 by the architect Ventura Rodriguez.

Durango has always been considered an important military position. This locality was occupied by the Carlists from 1872 to 1876, and has suffered the usual fate of towns occupied and defended during a war.

At the hermitage of San Antolin—near to the town—Maroto met Espartero—August 25th, 1839, to plan the betrayal of Don Carlos, who, instead of boldly marching against his traitor-general, fled hence to Villareal and thus encouraged defection.

6$3⁄4$ m. Zornoza. In the neighbourhood on the other side of the river. On the heights over Zornoza there was a sharp skirmish in 1808 between Generals Blake, Victor, and Lefevre. In July 1872, the Convenio of Amoravieta was signed.

The road now passes the hermitage of Herleche, and the hamlets of Urgoïti and Galdacano to

10$1⁄4$ m. Bilbao. (See Rte. 33.)

This is a good diligence-road, with a regular Diligence service.

Tolosa. Pop. 8357. (See Rte. 1.) Leaving Tolosa the road passes to the l. the extensive cloth manufactory of Lesperut, Riverd y Cia.

6 m. Vidania. Pop. 708. Soon after passing this little hamlet the road rises, by a difficult ascent, through the mountains of Hernio, to a summit-level of 1700 ft. above the sea. The scenery is charming; the views obtained at various points during the ascent are grand.

Descending again, the village of Govaz is left to the rt. Soon the valley of Loyola opens to view with the two towns of Azpeitia and Azcoitia in front.

8$1⁄2$ m. Azpeitia. Pop. 6379. (See Rte. 34.) From hence to

39 m. Bilbao. (See Rte. 33.)

Diligence daily.

Vitoria. Pop. 26,921. (See Rte. 1.) The villages of Gamarra Mayor and Menor are first passed, and then the Rio Zadorra is crossed upon a bridge of 8 arches to

7 m. Villareal de Alava. Pop. 1599. This village, which is surrounded by mountains and pine forests, is situated in the centre. of a district remarkable for the number of its sulphurous springs: that which is best known is at the hamlet of Aramayona, 6$1⁄2$ m. to the rt.

A road leaves Villareal for Bilbao which passes through the beautiful valley of Arrabia.

The mountains of Albertina and Bostibayeta, with their iron and copper mines, and black marble quarries, are now traversed to

4 m. Ochandiano. Pop. 1924. The town-hall of this ancient little town has its façade sculptured with the arms of Biscay and Castile quartered with its own. Its Parroquia has a tall and elegant steeple. [3 m. to the rt. is the sanctuary of San Antonio Abad, which is situated near Mont Urquiola. Well worth a visit.]