Leintz-Gatzaga

Leintz Gatzaga
Municipality
In the hills south of Leintz Gatzaga
Leintz Gatzaga Location in Spain
Coordinates: 42°59′N 02°34′W / 42.983°N 2.567°W / 42.983; -2.567
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Basque Country
Province	Gipuzkoa
Comarca	Debagoiena
Government
• Mayor	Eneka Zancada Rementeria
Area
• Total	14.72 km2 (5.68 sq mi)
Elevation	455 m (1,493 ft)
Population (2015)
• Total	251
• Density	17/km2 (44/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Website	Official website

Leintz Gatzaga (Spanish, Salinas de Léniz) is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain. The municipality's population is 251 (2015).

The first part of the name, Leintz, comes from the name of the valley, the village being located in the Valley of Leintz.

The second part is linked to the saltmine (gatzaga in Basque) located in the village, part of the reason for the village's existence. Salt is no longer produced but used to be a mainstay of the village's economy.

Leintz-Gatzaga covers 14.7 km² and is located in the province of Gipuzkoa, very close to Araba/Álava. It is situated in a mountainous area with steep hillsides, wooded and with almost no flat agricultural land. It is in the region of Alto Deva where the source of the river Deba is located.

Leintz-Gatzaga has a small old part that consisting of four streets, formerly walled. Most of the residents live in this part, the rest spread over some 35 Basque farmhousess around the village.

The history of this village is linked to two factors: the salt mines and the road.

Salt mines have operated in the area since the Middle Ages and these are the principal reason for the foundation of the village in 1331. Before the village was formed, there were some farmhouses and small towns that were protected by the Castle of Aitzorrotz. Although the salt mines were owned by the royalty, the residents of the village had some privileges to develop trade and exploit the salt.

The salt mines were of major economic importance and led to some disputes. For example, in 1374 the Count of Oñati appropriated the village and Leintz Gatzaga has been burnt down several times, in 1334, 1371, 1492 and 1498. Following the last burning, it was ordered that the old part must be built of stone.

Whereas in most places the vaporization system was used in salt mining, in Leintz Gatzaga, due to its cold and wet climate, salt miners would use fire to evaporate the water. The machinery used changed throughout the centuries. Until the 19th century the work was done without machinery, but when a company called Productos Leniz bought the salt mine, new machinery was introduced in 1920 and production increased. However, the quality of the salt was not as high as that of sea salt and after 1500 years, in 1972, the salt mine was closed.