A little trip to the "Mouse"

This short walk to 'Getaria's Mouse' is an easy and brief excursion. Even though the town of Getaria is full of noise, especially during the summer, at the "Mouse" one can enjoy the peacefulness and relaxation of wide views of the open sea and of the shades of trees of many different types.

The mouse, also known as San Anton Mountain, used to be an island; but when the built the harbor there, the mouse got a tail and what was an island became a peninsula, for by means of that tail it became united to Getaria.

The harbor was started in the 15th century and the tail had to be rebuilt so many times, because the storms kept knocking it down, that it wasn't really until the middle of the 19th century that it was finally completed forever.

Before I begin describing the walk I would like to mention that in this town was born Juan Sebastian Elkano, who, until someone disproves it, was the first person to go around the world, an adventure that has been repeated in our days first by Villar and more recently by Ugarte, who did it all by himself.

The walk

Between the Campsa gas station's buildings and depository there starts a paved path which winds up to the San Anton lighthouse.

The path to the right of the mouse really is beautiful, for it is surrounded by luxuriant vegetation which contrasts with the views of the open sea. At the lighthouse, which cannot be visited for the door is locked, in the past there was a small chapel, but it was destroyed in 1813 during the war between the Spanish and the French states. From that place, an unequaled platform/watchtower over the Kantauri Sea (Bay of Biscay), a lookout would give the news of an approaching whale or an impending storm. Elkano, the famous son of Getaria, himself left a gold ducat (coin) in his will for the San Anton chapel.

Climb the stone steps to a shortcut which will take you to the top of San Anton, where you'll find the remains of some buildings. The wide view of the coast from the western side is breathtaking. On the way back, do get lost in the paths of this beautiful park and admire the exuberant vegetation. It is a terrific place to learn about trees and bushes. Some trees have signs with their scientific, Basque, and Spanish names on them, though they are mixed up, for some signs do not belong on the plants they go with. Thus we recommend that you take a guide on this trip, to make the learning experience more effective.

Since long ago, the San Anton mountain, has been used as a semi- urban park and all types of trees have been planted there. Thus it's hard to tell which ones are the original local species and which ones the transplanted ones, since most of the imported species have become fully adapted to this location.

It would be endless to try to describe all the species, but let's mention at least the main ones:

the madrone tree (Bq. gurbitz or burbitz; Arbutus unedo), a bush which has a fruit which can be eaten when ripe, a type of wild sloe (plum) to make patxaran (a sweet liquor made of sloe, typical of Nafarroa).

the (English) elm, a tree which is in danger of disappearing in Europe due to an illness.

the fake acacia tree, with its special thorns, which when it flowers leaves the ground covered with white and the air filled with a wonderful smell.

the muricated oak (ametza), similar to the oak tree, but smaller.

the laurel tree, which has been a symbol of victory since classical times, and whose leaves are used as a condiment for seasoning.

the tamarind, with its curved trunk and with leaves that feel like velvet;

and a few others, such as the ash tree (lizarra), the poplar (makala), the fig tree (pikondoa), the maple tree (astigarra), the holm oak (or holly oak) tree (artea),... and a few conifers as well, such as the pine-kernel pine tree (pinazi-pinua) (?), the sea pine tree (itsaspinua) (?), the California cypress, and more.

Coming down, we arrive at a place where there is an old txilindro which they put out of commission when they built the new road.

Instead of taking the paved road which would take us again to the lighthouse, take the path to the right which goes down, passing by the natural observation points or terraces which go in from the precipice's edge over the harbor. Soon you'll reach the road of the ascent which will take us to where we started from.

This page is part of Buber's Basque Page and is maintained by Blas Uberuaga. Please report any problems or suggestions to Blas. Eskerrik asko!