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The Basque Town of
The town of Oņati is situated in
the southern part of Gipuzkoa, and its history is unique in relation to the
rest of the province. It remained
an essentially independent seigniorial village, separate from the province
well into the 19th century. This
might help explain the maintenance of its unique folk traditions.
Situated in a fertile green valley below the peak of Mount Aloņa
[1,324 m], Oņati in Basque means "place abundant in hills."2
From there, one finds the path to the Marian sanctuary of Arantzazu.
Arantzazu Basilica
It is there that a special statue of Mary is revered.
In 1469 a shepherd is said to have found the statue in a thorn bush
alongside a large cowbell. Many considered the find a miracle, and it triggered a wave
of pilgrims to the site nearby which a beautiful new stone sanctuary now
stands.
Blessed Virgin of Arantzazu
In 1918 Andra Mari of
Arantzazu become the patron saint for all of Gipuzkoa.3
Onatiko udaletxea: Onati's Cityhall
Before the valley's incorporation
into Gipuzkoa, the lord or count of Oņati possessed supreme authority.
He directed civil and ecclesiastical affairs, collecting all taxes and
commanding the troops. The
oņatiarrak--the
people of Oņati--struggled to free themselves of one man dominance, and
finally achieved that end in 1845. Despite
the tensions between the townspeople and their master, Oņati created a rich
artistic heritage. This is
highlighted by the University, the gift of a native son, who established
Euskadi's first and only university for centuries.
Onati's University
Founded in 1548, the teaching of canonical and civil law, medicine,
philosophy and literature continued for nearly four hundred years.
It remains today an impressive architectural example.
Across the street is the principal church of the town, dedicated to the
town's patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel. It is a fine example of Basque style Baroque architecture
with its open spaces, a high altar that sits nearly twenty feet above the
floor, and its ornate back alter piece with impressive wood carvings.
The town maintains its own unique character and dialect of Euskara,
with an abudance of panoramic views, that makes it a definite joy to visit.4
Like most all Basque towns, Oņati
annually celebrates the feast of its patron saint in early September.
Yet its most renowned festival is the procession of Corpus Christi.
Its history reaches back into the 16th century, and it has been
annually performed since then without interruption.
In it are paraded numerous statues of Catholic saints, costumed
religious personages, the town's civic and religious leaders, children,
singers and musicians, while alongside them perform the Korpus dantzariak--the
dancers of Oņati.
Click here to go to a photo website of the town
Click here to go to Jose Ramon Txintxurreta's website
