Happiness is a topic that gives a lot of meaning. Whether it's a question of attitude, a life philosophy, a completely personal concept, or what small daily habits activate your happiness hormones. However, what is clear is that happiness is possible It is conditional on many factors But did you know that the city you live in could be one of them?
From time to time we discover facts about happiness that arouse our curiosity. One of them is studying “The importance of species diversity for human well-being in Europe” Published in 2020 in Environmental Economics. This study confirms that Nature plays an important role in human well-being And communicating with her brings happiness.
Thus, it indicates that the richness of animal and plant species is a positive thing for the inhabitants of the area, and more specifically the richness of bird species. According to the aforementioned study, the happiest people in Europe are those who are engaged in their daily lives They are surrounded by birds. If observing different species affects our happiness, Gotiguez de Arteaga is the happiest city in Spain. The main reason is the Urdaibai Bird Center located there.
What is Urdaibai Bird Centre?
Observing birds in their natural habitat without disturbing them is positively associated with satisfaction and a sense of well-being. And that's only what you can do Urdaibai Bird Centrehe Living Nature Museum, located in Gautéguiz Arteaga It is open to the public to enjoy the world of birds and their migrations. The facility itself is a unique marsh observatory, located in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
It is a center run by the Aranzadi Science Association dedicated to research and scientific publication of birds, their migrations and the habitats in which they live. Where they land More than 250 different types Visitors can be privileged witnesses to the bird projects being worked on.
What to see in Gutiguez de Arteaga?
According to the study, it concluded that Gutiéguez de Arteaga has many factors that make its neighbors among the happiest in Spain. Which Balance between nature and people It has also been completed for other reasons that are interesting to know in case you want to visit this city in the Basque Country.
The history of mills and fisheries takes a turn when Eugenia de Montejo takes over Remodeling of the old castle Which, together with the Urdaibai Bird Center, becomes the tourism emblem par excellence.
- Arteaga Castle. Eugenia de Montijo decided to restore the dilapidated castle in gratitude for the recognition of her son Eugenio Bonaparte as Biscan by origin. This is how a medieval palace with a tower inspired by French Gothic architecture was built. Now it is a great hotel.
- St Mary's Parish Church. It was built in the 12th century, and expanded in the 17th century. It has three buttressed vaults, five altars, a shepherd's tomb, an elaborate purple marble door, a front tower, and a portico on its south side.
- Hermitage San Lorenzo. Located in the Isla Bekoa neighbourhood, this 16th-century hermitage has on one of its walls a pre-Romanesque window from the 11th century carved into a single block of stone. It offers wonderful views of the Urdaibai Estuary.
- Ozolo district. A delicate, rural neighborhood open to the swamp that is worth walking through. In the nucleus of small villages, one stands out It dates back to 1694.
- Urdaibai Bird Centre. As we have seen, it is a great living museum of nature, open to the public to enjoy the world of birds and their migrations. The equipment itself is a unique marsh observatory.
