Saint Katalina of Antzoriz

The Santa Katalina chapel at Antzoriz is one of the oldest religious buildings in Lekeitio, a town on Spain's Basque coast. It sits on Cape Antzoriz, also known as Cape Santa Catalina, right next to the local lighthouse, roughly 1.5 km from the town center.

Where is the chapel and how do you get there?

From the center of Lekeitio, the walk starts along the Paseo de Santa Catalina promenade and continues toward the headland for about 1.5 km. The path ends at the cape itself, where the chapel stands beside the lighthouse, in a spot regarded as one of the most scenic viewpoints along this stretch of coast. The site's coordinates are 43.3765316, -2.509935.

What is the history behind the chapel?

Nobody knows exactly when the chapel was first built. A clue to its age survives outside the site itself: a stone carving of Christ dated to the 13th century, originally from this chapel, is now kept at the Ethnographic Museum in Bilbao — evidence that a place of worship stood here well before the current structure. The building visible today, in Gothic style, dates to around 1500. Attached to it was a small dwelling once used by nuns who were responsible for looking after the chapel and keeping it maintained.

What historical events are tied to this site?

The chapel's history includes a violent episode. In 1493, a priest connected to the hermitage was ambushed by armed men while walking from Antzoriz toward the town center and was killed with arrows and spears; the attack is linked to disputes over the collection of tributes from local residents. The building's ownership also shifted over time — in 1596 it was handed over to the Municipality of Lekeitio, and nearly three centuries later, in 1893, the town council sold it to the Catholic Church, which still owns it today.

Can visitors go inside the chapel today?

The chapel has been deconsecrated and is no longer used for religious services. It remains property of the Catholic Church of Lekeitio. For visitors, it functions mainly as a stop on the coastal walking route, combining lighthouse and ocean views with centuries of local history. There is no confirmed information about regular opening hours for the interior, so it's best to treat the walk out to the chapel as a scenic and historical stop rather than a site with guaranteed indoor access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the chapel from central Lekeitio? About 1.5 km, following the Paseo de Santa Catalina promenade out to the headland where the chapel and lighthouse stand together.

Is the chapel still used for religious worship? No. It has been deconsecrated and no services are currently held there, although it still formally belongs to the Catholic Church of Lekeitio.

What happened at the chapel in 1493? A priest attached to the hermitage was attacked and killed by armed men while walking from Antzoriz into town, in what is believed to have been a dispute over tribute collection.

How do we know the chapel is so old? A 13th-century stone carving of Christ originally from this chapel is preserved at the Ethnographic Museum in Bilbao, even though the Gothic-style building seen today was constructed around 1500.