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

Gaztelugatxe at sunset, Basque Country, Spain

Gaztelugatxe is a stunning islet located on the coast of Biscay in the Basque Country, Spain. It"s 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

Apr 5, 2018Mada’in Saleh archeological site in Saudi Arabia
Apr 5, 2019A day of death and rebirth
Apr 5, 2020The frog prince?
Apr 5, 2021Once upon a time there was a bridge…
Apr 5, 2022Goðafoss waterfall, Iceland
Apr 5, 2023Black grouses lekking
Apr 5, 2024The Bahamas

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 30, 2025Camels at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
Jan 9, 2020Into the woods
Mar 26, 2021The wild heart of Tasmania
Oct 4, 2018From Sputnik to extraterrestrial storms
Jul 4, 2023Happy Independence Day!
Feb 21, 2020Carnival comes to Olinda
Feb 27, 2019A predator at risk
Oct 18, 2019Fall color sweeps across the West
Sep 3, 2024Wilderness Act anniversary
Oct 6, 2021A valley view at 9,000 feet
Jun 13, 2020A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
Feb 27, 2018A polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Aug 17, 2018Illuminations on the Gulf of Poets
Sep 17, 2022Oktoberfest
May 13, 2021Hues of Hokkaido
Nov 10, 2023Badlands National Parks 45th anniversary
Feb 21, 2023New Orleans for Mardi Gras
Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan
Oct 30, 2019Cross this bridge if you dare
Aug 4, 2023Tintern Abbey, Wales
Mar 17, 2025Happy St. Patricks Day!
Apr 23, 2020Duck, duck. duck, duck, duck...
Apr 2, 2020Pascua Florida Day
Jul 5, 2021How green is my valley
May 14, 2019Cannes, France, in the spotlight
Aug 2, 2022Happy birthday, Capitol Reef National Park
Mar 5, 2023Cherry blossom season in Tokyo
Apr 4, 2019Taking the forest to the cloud
Feb 7, 2026Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia
Feb 15, 2023Hippo family in Chobe National Park, Botswana