Casa Solar in the Basque Country

While in Spain, my father took us on a vacation to the Basque region of Spain, an area of verdant rolling hills and thousands of grazing sheep.  The beautiful hills were dotted with large farm houses in which the local shepherds and farmers lived.  These houses were built in the 1500, 1600 and 1700’s and are distinctive by their construction and are some times referred to as Casa Solares.

One of the Original Homes of the Gumucios in the Basque Region of Spain

The houses are large two-story wood and brick structures where the family quarters are on the second floor and the livestock were populated on the first floor.  A very practical configuration for the farmers at the time, and especially during winter. 

This picture is the actual home of one of my family’s residences in the small town of Amorebieta.  Typically, a family coat of arms was placed on display on the front wall of the home.  You can see mine below the top left window of the house.  Unfortunately, this house is no longer in the family’s possession. 

During my return 40+ years later, I was dismayed to see that many of the old homes were raised to make room for large expanses of freeways, but in a few cases, some of the homes were converted into bed and breakfast destinations. At least some of the houses were preserved that way, but not necessarily in the old, quaint charm of yesteryear.  

Fortunately, the local historical society of the Basque region has taken interest in the preservation of some of the homes and the ancient coat of arms carved in stone of the ancient leading families from the area.  They have made arrangements with other government entities, such as the Department of Transportation, as well as individual – current – home owners that certain parts of their homes will be donated to the museum before being torn down to make room for more roads or new housing complexes. 

Today you can visit the Necropolis of Argineta (Barrio Zenita, 48230, Elorrio, Spain - turismoa@elorrio.eus) at their museum where ancient Visigoth family stones from the 9th century have been collected from the region and are put on display for all to see, as well as other historical items that represent some of the older Basque families and their original homes.