Gotein-Libarrenx

Gotein -Libarrenx (Basque: Gotaiñe - Irabarne ) is a commune with 447 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Pyrénées- Atlantiques in the Basque part of the Aquitaine region. The two villages have united only in 1841 to a municipality.

Location

The double municipality Gotein -Libarrenx is located on the season, a tributary of the Gave d' Oloron, about 232 km ( driving distance ) south of Bordeaux and about 95 kilometers southeast of Bayonne. The nearest large towns are Mauléon- Licharre ( about 4 kilometers north ) or Oloron -Sainte -Marie ( about 35 kilometers east ).

Demographics

Economy

As almost everywhere in the Basque Country playing field and grazing the dominant role in people's lives. The soils are fertile and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees in the south falls sufficient rainfall. Previously, the Basques lived according to the principle of self-sufficiency, that is, the income of the fields and livestock were consumed within the family. The principles of the market economy, that is primarily the production for an anonymous market, have become established in the Basque country until the 20th century.

History

About 700 meters from Libarrenx and about 200 meters above the town is the height prehistoric fortress Gastelugain, whose age is estimated to be about 4000 years.

Since the Basque language was set down in writing only since the 16th century, is known about the early and medieval history of the whole area of ​​land as well as individual sites, very little - only a few places and persons name from an earlier period have survived. The Silviet, the traditional gathering of men of a given area (in this case the former province of Soule ), gathered in the 17th and early 18th century in the forest of Libarrenx. For the year 1661 has been handed a peasant revolt due to high taxes ( Matalas uprising ); some of the leaders were beheaded. A few decades later ( 1730) the Silviet was banned.

Attractions

• Church of St- André and cemetery in Gotein: The Church in Gotein dates in its present form from the 15th/16th. Century and has an imposing tripartite gable facade ( Clocher Trinitaire ), are unclear about their meaning may be present - some bring approximately equal high segments in conjunction with the Trinity, others see it as an architectural image of the crucifixion scene ( Christ and the two thieves ). One located at the entrance to the church widely situated covered gazebo could have served formerly as a meeting place for both processions as well as village assemblies. The church itself is only one nave and has a rectangular choir circuit; the altarpiece shows a crucifixion of the Apostle Andrew. In the cemetery of the village, some grave stelae ( Hilarri ) find the frequently sighted in the Basque Country slices.
• Church of St- Jean -Baptiste in Libarrenx: The west facade of the also only one nave of Libarrenx offers a similar view, with the difference that the three adjacent peaks rest on a rectangular base and are separated from it by a cornice, creating a possible symbolic importance from the outset is less obvious. A simple covered portico on wooden supports in front of the church door is also available.

Others

• The U.S. director Fred Zinnemann turned in 1963, some scenes of his film Behold a Pale Horse ( Your time is up ) with lead actor Gregory Peck and Omar Sharif and Anthony Quinn in supporting roles in Gotein.