Azpeitia

Municipality

Sanctuary of Ignatius of Loyola, in Azpeitia

Flag

Coat of arms

Azpeitia

Location of Azpeitia within the Basque Autonomous Community

Coordinates: 43°10′55″N 2°15′55″W / 43.18194°N 2.26528°WCoordinates: 43°10′55″N 2°15′55″W / 43.18194°N 2.26528°W

Country

Founded

1310

Government

• Mayor

Eneko Etxeberria (Bildu)

Area

• Total

210.12 km² (81.13 sq mi)

Elevation

80 m (260 ft)

Population (2014)

• Total

14,580

• Density

69/km² (180/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Basque: azpeitiarra

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

Postal code

20730

Website

Official website

Azpeitia (meaning 'down the rock' in Basque) is a town and municipality within the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country of Spain, located on the Urola river a few kilometres east of Azkoitia. Its population is 13,708 (2001 estimate). It is located 16 miles southwest of Donostia/San Sebastián.

Azpeitia is the birthplace of Ignatius of Loyola. His birth home is now preserved as a part of large Jesuit compound, the Sanctuary of Loyola, a major attraction of tourist and pilgrims alike. It is also the birthplace of Renaissance composer Juan de Anchieta.

Azpeitia lies at the foot of the massive Izarraitz towering over the town and much visited by town-dwellers. Azpeitia Railway Museum is located in the town.

Azpeitia was created in 1310 by a royal order of King Fernando IV. First, its original name was “Garmendia de Iraurgi” and a year later it was renamed “Salvatierra de Iraurgi”. The name “Azpeitia” started to be used in 1397. During the 13th and 14th centuries there were many fights and wars among prominent families that happened in the town. Notably, between the Oñaz and Gamboa families. In 1766, there was revolt in the town as a consequence of King Carlos V intention of liberalizing the selling and buying of wheat. For a brief period of time, there was even a revolutionary town council. However, this revolt was quickly repressed by troops sent from San Sebastian.

The steel and wood industries have historically been the main industries in Azpeitia. The Sanctuary of Loyola is its major touristic attraction, together with the Basque Railway Museum.

He was born in Loyola, Azpeitia, the Basque Country, in 1491 and died in Rome, Italy, in 1556. His family was part of the lordship of Biscay. As a young man, he worked in the service of the viceroy of Navarre. He was injured in both legs during the defence of Pamplona in 1521. Afterwards, during his recovery time, he started reading books with a religious theme. This made a big impact on his life. He then travelled to Catalonia, first to the monastery of Montserrat in 1522 and then to Manresa, where he retired in a cave to meditate for a year. Afterwards he wrote his most famous book, The Book of Spiritual Exercises (Libro de los Ejercicios Espirituales). After various travels to Rome, Barcelona, Alcalá de Henares and Salamanca, he went to Paris in 1528. In the French capital, he studied philosophy and theology. Together with some other students he founded the original core of the Society of Jesus, which received the approval of the Vatican in 1540 and chose San Ignacio as their superior general. Afterwards, the Jesuits extended all over the world, starting first in Europe and then in America. When he died, San Ignacio was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church .

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Wikipedia