San Juan de la Peña
Title
San Juan de la Peña
Also Known As
Bakio, Doniene, Gaztelugatxe, San Juan de Gaztelugac, San Juan de Gaztelugach, San Juan de Gaztelugache, Sancti Ioannis Baptiste de la Pennya
Dates
Founded 1162; dissolved ca. 1330
Dedication
John the Baptist
Affiliation
Medieval Diocese
Circary
History
San Juan de la Peña was founded as a Premonstratensian abbey in 1162 by Lope Díaz I de Haro, lord of Biscay, on a small island where there had been religious settlement for many years. Its history is obscure, but it appears that the Premonstratensian brothers left in the early 14th century.
A hermitage continued to exist on the site, although the chapel has been rebuilt many times over the year because of fires and storm damage.
Today, because of a surge in visitor numbers thanks to the island's fame as a Game of Thrones filming location, access to the site by the public is free but time-limited.
A hermitage continued to exist on the site, although the chapel has been rebuilt many times over the year because of fires and storm damage.
Today, because of a surge in visitor numbers thanks to the island's fame as a Game of Thrones filming location, access to the site by the public is free but time-limited.
Heads of Community
Abbots
Sancho, fl. ca. 1162
Sancho, fl. ca. 1162
Status
Abbey
Archival Sources
Madrid, Archivo Histórico Nacional
La Vid, Perg. 378, 7 (12th c.)
La Vid, Perg. 378, 7 (12th c.)
Reference
Image Credit
View of the hermitage, 2019. Wikimedia.
Files
Collection
Citation
“San Juan de la Peña,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/632.
Geolocation
Item Relations
| This Item | DependentOn | Item: Retuerta |