Ziortza-Bolibar

Discover a place with a rich medieval history, a museum dedicated to Simón Bolívar and a former 10th century monastery, transformed into a peaceful spiritual...

Artistic heritage The municipality has two important parts, the town centre and the monastery of Ziortza. In the town centre we find the church, the pelota court, the museum and the life and customs of its people. Simón Bolivar has special importance in the municipality. Simón el Viejo emigrated to the Americas in search of fortune. The son of the Errementarikua farmhouse did not know that one of his ancestors would carry the name of Bolivar throughout the Americas. Since then there has been a close relationship between South America and Ziortza-Bolibar. The museum consists of two floors, the first one explains the way of life and heritage of the Middle Ages and the second one shows the figure of Simón Bolivar. The monastery of Ziortza-Bolibar dates back to the 10th century. In the year 968, the parishioners who were in the church of Santa Lucía observed how an eagle picked up a skull from the cemetery and deposited it where the religious area is located today. They took this as a sign, and decided to build the collegiate church there. Since then, the eagle with the skull in its claws has been the coat of arms of the municipality. It was the only collegiate church in Bizkaia, nowadays transformed into a monastery. In 1380 it was rebuilt and more buildings were added, and after the fire of 1954 the entire façade of the monastery was restored. Relaxation area: Collegiate Church of Cenarruza The Collegiate Church of Cenarruza is a peaceful and spiritual place. Here you can take short walks and enjoy the silence, finding peace and with the possibility of spending a few days in the centre, many people take advantage of a short break here to get away from their daily lives and strengthen their inner knowledge. Ziortza-Bolibar Town Council website