Page:A Handbook for Travellers in Spain - Vol 1.djvu/300

198 From Santoña a small export trade is done in corn from Castile, and in iron from the adjoining mines. The storms on the coast are sometimes terrific, for here on this ironbound coast the mighty Atlantic is first repelled, and the volume of waiter thrown back upon the incoming waves often causes a tremendous sea even in times when no wind is blowing. Here in Oct. 1810, an entire British squadron under Admiral Popham sutfered severely.

2$1⁄2$ m. Noja (Pop. 636).

2 m. Arnuero.

Ajo. Pop. 1443. Situated upon the mouth of the Rio Solorzano.

6 m. Galizano, a small fishing village. The fish on this coast are very plentiful, the besugo and bonito (Sea Bream and Scomber Pilamis) are especially excellent.

7$1⁄2$ m. Santander. (See Rte. 24.)

Bilbao. (See Rte. 33.)

From Bilbao the diligence road is taken to

17 m. Durango. (See Rte. 34.)

2$1⁄2$ m. Abadiano. Pop. 2050. Notice in this neighbourhood the picturesque manor-houses with their portals sculptured with armorial devices. Obs. the interesting and very ancient parroquia.

In January 1876 there was a sharp engagement here between Carlists and Liberals.

4 m. Elorria. Pop. 2780. Here are 2 iron foundries and the famous mineral springs.

3 m. Elqueta. Pop. 2378. Situated in the midst of a rich and picturesque valley. Between Elorio and Elqueta there was much fighting between the Carlists and Liberals in February 1876. Shortly before reaching the next town, a road diverges l. which follows the valley of the Deva and joins the diligence-road to Plasencia and Elgoibar.

3$1⁄2$ m. Vergara. (Inn: Parador de las Diligencias; Pop. 5726.) This Swiss-like town is situated upon the Rio Deva, in a pleasant basin girdled by mountains. Visit its parroquia San Pedro. In a little capilla, which is entered from behind the Coro, obs. a fine statue of the Agony on the Cross, the work of Juan Martinez Montañes. In the Church of Santa Marina de Oxirundo, obs. the Christ of Burgos by Mateo Cerezo. The Casa Consistorial on the Plaza should also be noticed. There is an important first-class educational establishment there. Vergara is famous for its celebrated convenio with the Carlists in 1839.

2 m. Anzuola. Pop. 1521. Situated in a valley surrounded by mountains. In the adjoining hamlet of Uzarraga, obs. the ancient '''Ch. of San Juan Bautista''', which formerly belonged to the Knights Templars. At the town-hall of Anzuola may be seen an ancient Moorish banner.

5$1⁄2$ m. Villareal. Pop. 997. (Zumarraga, Pop. 1679) Stat. on the Northern Railway. (See Rte. 1.)

Villareal (see Rte. 1). This stat., on the Northern Railway of Spain, the most convenient point from which