Oiz

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Oiz
Mount Oiz summit.
Elevation	1026 m
Location	Biscay, Spain
Range	Basque mountains
Prominence	710 m
Coordinates	43º 13' 43,21 N 2º 35' 24,13 W
Easiest route	South face from Garai.

Mount Oiz (also spelled Oitz) (1026.40 m.), is one of the most popular summits of Biscay in the Basque Country (Spain). Its summits form part of a long range that feeds several rivers: Ibaizabal, Artibai, Lea, Oka and Deva in Gipuzkoa all of them running to the Bay of Biscay.

[edit] Description

The mount is clearly distinguished from its surroundings, mostly because of the large antenna and the wind turbines in the top.

Its good situation in the middle of the province and its height provides great views from the summit, from the nearby sea to the surrounding mountains.

There are still patches of oaks and beeches in the mount, but the higher zones are covered by huge pastures where sheeps, horses and cows graze. There are wild deers and boars. Birds are shared with the nearby Urkiola natural park.

[edit] History and Legend

Oiz is one of the most important places of the history of Biscay and the Basque Country. During the prehistory it was inhabited by shepherds that left an important legacy of megalithic monuments. Later they moved to the valleys where they left the necropolis of San Juan de Momoitio.

Oiz is one of the mounts from where the assembly of the Lordship of Biscay was gathered in the Middle Ages. This gathering was done by lighting fires and blowing into horns.

The legend says that also here Mari, "The Lady of Anboto", has a dwelling. Tradition says that every seven years Mari goes from Anboto to Oiz, and the weather and the good or bad crops depend on where she is.

On February 19th 1985, Iberia Airlines flight 610 from Madrid to Bilbao hit the antenna and crashed in the north slopes of Oiz, all passengers and crew died.