The island of Gaztelugatxe in the Bay of Biscay is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. At its highest point is the former monastery of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which was probably used as a retreat by the Templars in the 12th and 13th centuries. Today there is a small church of the parish of St. Pelagius in Bakio, a nearby town on the mainland.
Overcoming the many steps up to the church is not easy. A head for heights is an advantage here, but you also need to be in good physical condition. Its past and this special location and fortification give the island a special magic.
The creators of the epic "Game of Thrones" also saw this and so the island became the location of the well-known film series for some time. Although the fans of the series did not appreciate the impressive scenery, not all residents of the nearby towns on the mainland appreciated it.
So you can still read in big white letters shortly before arriving at the parking lot of the entrance to the island: "Fuck you film crew".
