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

Gaztelugatxe islet 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, 2024The Bahamas

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 21, 2025Staghorn coral in shallow ocean
Feb 22, 2025Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Mar 5, 2024Bangkok, Thailand
Sep 23, 2024Sea otter, Alaska, USA
Nov 7, 2025Polar bear in Canada
Oct 31, 2025Bran Castle in Bran, Brașov, Romania
Feb 17, 2025Coll dAres, Catalan Pyrenees
Oct 6, 2024Coyote Gulch, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah
Apr 13, 2025Wat Tang Sai Temple, Thailand
Mar 27, 2025Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis of Athens, Greece
Jan 8, 2025Great Wall of China
May 18, 2024Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Canada
Sep 18, 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
Nov 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Nov 30, 2025Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany
Dec 4, 2025Cheetah in Maasai Mara
Mar 6, 2024Wahclella Falls, Oregon, USA
Jul 28, 2024Skåne County, Sweden
Feb 14, 2024Red-crowned crane
Jul 1, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse, Colwood, British Columbia, Canada
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Aug 23, 2025Greater flamingos, Camargue Regional Nature Park, France
Feb 20, 2025Red deer, Canada
Nov 24, 2023Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Feb 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland
Jul 16, 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
Jul 8, 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
Nov 17, 2025Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, United States
Jan 26, 2026Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain
Sep 22, 2025Aspen trees, Fishlake National Forest, Utah, United States