Markina

Markina-Xemein is a municipality in the province of Bizkaia in the Basque Country, situated in the Lea river valley inland from the coast. The town has a traditional Basque market character and a historic centre with the church of Santa María de Xemein and the distinctive octagonal chapel of San Miguel de Arretxinaga, which encloses three large natural boulders venerated in pre-Christian tradition.

The chapel of San Miguel de Arretxinaga is particularly unusual: its octagonal neoclassical form surrounds three enormous standing rocks, which according to local tradition were hurled here by Saint Michael himself. The site is one of the more distinctive sacred landmarks on the Camino del Norte inland route through Bizkaia.

Markina is a significant rest stop on the route with full services, and the pelota court in the town square is a reminder of the deep roots of this Basque sport in the local culture.