Ainhoa, Pyrénées-Atlantiques facts for kids
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Ainhoa, Pyrénées-Atlantiques is a lovely village in the southwestern part of France. It is located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques area, which is also known as a département. Ainhoa is famous for being one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France". This means it's a really pretty place with a lot of history and special buildings.
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Discover Ainhoa
Ainhoa is nestled in the Labourd region, close to the Pyrenees mountains. This area is known for its green hills and traditional Basque houses. The village has a calm and peaceful atmosphere. It's a great place to visit if you want to see a traditional French village.
What Makes Ainhoa Special?
Ainhoa is part of an official group called "The Most Beautiful Villages of France." This title is given to small towns that have amazing historical buildings and a unique charm. When you walk through Ainhoa, you'll see many old houses with red and white timber frames. These houses are typical of the Basque Country.
A Glimpse into History
Ainhoa has a long history, dating back many centuries. It was once an important stop for travelers on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This famous journey is called the Way of St. James. Many people still walk this path today. You can see signs in Ainhoa that point the way for these pilgrims.
Some old houses in the village have special carvings above their doors. These carvings are called lintels. They often show the date the house was built or tell a story about the family who lived there. For example, one lintel from 1662 tells about a son sending money home from the "Indies" to save his family's house.
Interesting Sights in Ainhoa
The village has several interesting places to explore:
- The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is a beautiful old church. It has amazing stained-glass windows that let colorful light into the building.
- Next to the church, you'll find the cemetery. It's unique because it has many old, round gravestones called discoidal steles. These steles are a special part of Basque culture.
- You might also see a Calvary, which is a type of religious sculpture. The one in Ainhoa dates back to 1898.
- As you walk around, look for old street signs. They give you a peek into what the village was like a long time ago.
Ainhoa is a wonderful example of a traditional Basque village. It combines natural beauty with a rich history.
Images for kids
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Sign at the entrance of the village
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Old street sign on the Elchoinea house
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On the way to Saint Jacques de Compostela
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Lintel on which can be read: "This house is called Gorritia and was called this by Marie de Gorriti mother of Jean Dolhagaray because of sums of money he sent home from the indies so the house would not be sold or rented. Made in 1662"
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The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
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Stained glass in the church
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The cemetery
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Discoidal Stele
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Tabular Stele
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Discoidal Stele
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Church and cemetery
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Cemetery
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Headstone
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Headstone
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The Calvary dating to 1898
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Rectangular Cross
See also
In Spanish: Ainhoa (Pirineos Atlánticos) para niños
