Happy TravellerWelcome to Amorebieta-Etxano, also known as Zornotza, a charming town and municipality located in Biscay in the Basque Country, an Autonomous Community in northern Spain. With a population of 19,339, Amorebieta-Etxano is situated among rugged mountains and has a rich historical heritage. Let’s explore this hidden gem and discover why it should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Amorebieta-Etxano is an inland town in the comarca of Duranguesado in the province of Biscay in northern Spain. It is about 25 km (16 mi) east of Bilbao and close to the European route E70 which runs along the north coast of Spain. It is located in the valley of the River Ibaizabal; this river joins the River Nervión a few kilometres to the north, after which it is sometimes called the Nervión-Ibaizabal because the two rivers are very similar in size.
The municipality of Amorebieta-Etxano came into being on 26 January 1951 as the result of a merger between Amorebieta and Etxano, two communities in the historic administrative district of Merindad de Zornotza. The other parts of the district were merged into the neighbouring municipality of Muxika. The new coat of arms shows the union between Amorebieta and Etxano. In the 2014 census, Amorebieta had a population of 16,907 while that of Etxano was 221.
The town is divided into several districts. The church of Santa María de la Asunción is in the centre of Amorebieta on the banks of the Ibaizaba. It is a large Renaissance building started in 1555 and opened for worship in 1608 and is noted for its altarpiece. Another Renaissance church is the Parroquia de San Juan Bautista de Larrea. This dates back to 1647, and in 1704 it was given to the Carmelite Order to found a convent. In San Antonio is the hermitage of San Miguel de Dudea, and nearby is the Neoclassical López Palace.
For those interested in technology, a branch of the international company Tecnalia Research & Innovation is located here in the Parque Empresarial Boroa where the firm employs 1500 people.
Amorebieta-Etxano is also home to several notable people, including footballers Jon Aurtenetxe, Xabier Etxeita, and Jon Morcillo, cyclist Beñat Intxausti, and manager José Ignacio López de Arriortúa.
Come and experience the beauty and history of Amorebieta-Etxano for yourself. Visit the official web page for more information.
