Gorbea
Gorbea or Gorbeia is a mountain and massif in the Basque Country, Spain. It is the highest summit in Biscay and Álava, with a height of above sea level. The massif covers a wide area between the two provinces. The main summit is a round grass-covered mountain crowned by a 17-metre-tall metallic cross. Historically, it was one of the five of Biscay, from where meetings to the Juntas Generales of the Lordship of Biscay were announced.
To the north of the massif lies the karstic plateau of, an area full of shafts and caves such as. The southern side of the mountain is less craggy, being covered by forests. Other notable mountains of the massif are to the south and the and limestone peaks to the north.
Since 1994, the whole massif has been part of the Gorbeia Natural Park, established to preserve the local beech and oak forests as well as the populations of wild boars and deer. Its status as the highest summit in two provinces and easy access have made it one of the most emblematic mountains in the Basque Country.
Its popularity among Basque mountaineers, who climb to its summit from all sides, has made it very popular. Its cross, which can be seen from almost every corner of the area, has become a symbol of reference. It is traditional to climb Gorbea on the last and first day of each year, with hundreds of people gathering at the summit to toast with champagne, cava or cider at the cross.
Next to the cross and the Virgin of Begoña, who looks out over Vizcaya, there is a post box where you can leave your mountain competition cards. The post box was installed in 1926 by Athletic Club.
On 14 June 1931, an orientation table was placed there, in the shape of a cylindrical prism 0.80 m in diameter and 1.18 m high, marking 106 mountains. The project was the brainchild of Lucio Lascaray, who began work on it in 1929. It was installed by the Vitoria mountaineering club. The design on the plaque is by Ángel Aguirre and it was made in the workshops of Puy de Dòme in France.
Summit cross
First cross
In 1899, Pope Leo XIII ordered crosses built atop prominent mountains in the Christian world to commemorate the new century. It was decided that a cross would be installed at Gorbea, the highest mountain in Biscay and Álava. The priests of Zeanuri in Biscay and Zigoitia in Álava made the first steps coordinating the construction of the cross. The works, funded by donations, were undertaken by the Roman [Catholic Diocese of Vitoria|Diocese of Vitoria]. The total budget was of 50,000 pesetas. It was designed by architect Casto de Zavala and built in a factory owned by businessman and politician Serapio de Goicoechea. Works started on 26 July 1901, with the intention of being completed by 14 September, but it wasn't inaugurated until 12 November.The construction of the cross was marred with difficulties. The parts of the disassembled cross was hauled by rail to Izarra, and then carried to the summit with the help of working animals. For unknown reasons, the tall cross wasn't built according the plans drawn by Casto de Zavala. The proposed designs included guy-wires to help the structure withstand the strong winds, but due to the hurried construction they weren't added. The crossed collapsed just one month later, on 12 December. Due to the weight of accumulated snow, one of its legs snapped at a height of about, with the cross falling down the slope and breaking into pieces.