Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain Apr. 5, 2025

Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain

Gaztelugatxe is a stunning islet on the coast of Biscay in the Basque Country, Spain. It is famous for its dramatic scenery and the small hermitage, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, dedicated to John the Baptist at its peak. The hermitage, which dates back to the 10th century, has been rebuilt several times due to damage from battles and fire. Today"s building is perched atop the islet and is accessible by a narrow path that includes 241 steps. It"s a popular pilgrimage site, and visitors often ring the church bell three times and make a wish. According to legend, John the Baptist himself set foot on the islet. The views from the top offer panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline and the Cantabrian Sea. Gaztelugatxe gained international fame as a filming location for the TV series "Game of Thrones," where it served as Dragonstone, the ancestral seat of House Targaryen.

© Eloi_Omella/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Let’s have a lek, see?
Apr. 5, 2024The Bahamas

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb. 17, 2026Chinese New Year
Feb. 16, 2025Happy World Whale Day!
Feb. 19, 2025European river otter
Oct. 11, 2025World Migratory Bird Day
Wind-powered ice racing
Nov. 20, 2024World Childrens Day
Nov. 29, 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Jul. 28, 2024Colourful bathing huts on the beach in Skåne County, Sweden
May 4, 2025Star Wars Day
Jan. 29, 2026Milwaukee City Hall, Wisconsin, United States
May the 4th be with you
May 8, 2025World Donkey Day
A salty situation
Aug. 6, 2024Molokini crater, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Fit for a fairytale
Feb. 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, Isabela Island
Dec. 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
In the tropics, land greets sea warmly
Dec. 1, 2023Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
Dec. 28, 2025Black-and-white ruffed lemur in Madagascar
Jan. 28, 2026Whanganui National Park, Retaruke, New Zealand
Kickoff in Qatar
Nov. 23, 2025Fibonacci Day
What are these colourful insects?
Apr. 15, 2025World Art Day
A snapshot of Spring
Straight out of a fairytale
Black sands in a tropical paradise
Jun. 16, 2025World Sea Turtle Day
Apr. 23, 2024World Book Day