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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Nicolas de Guéthary, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a religious building dedicated to Saint Nicholas, protector of sailors. This choice reflects Guéthary's harbour history, formerly active in whale, tuna and sardine fishing. Built in the 16th century, it is distinguished by an extended unique nave of a semicircular apse, typical of Basque churches, with a sober exterior and an interior rich in oak galleries on three levels, once reserved for men. The absence of a retable, sold in 1870, and the presence of an ex-voto in the form of three masts underline its connection with the sea.

Between 1636 and 1650, the church was enlarged and expanded in 1859 to accommodate the needs of the community. The interior statues date from the 17th century, while an organ made around 1955 by Organria Española is installed there, restored in 2012 by the workshop Azpiazu. The building, listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments in 2001, depends on the diocese of Bayonne and the parish of Saint-Joseph-des-Falaises/Bidart. Its restoration in 1970 however dispersed part of its original decor, in accordance with the norms of the time.

The church embodies both the Basque architectural heritage and Guethary's maritime identity. Its steeple, visible from a distance on the coast, makes it an emblematic landmark of the village. The interior galleries, organized on three floors, recall the traditional separation of the faithful by gender, a characteristic common in the local churches. The ship suspended in ex-voto bears witness to the traditions of gratitude of the sailors towards Saint Nicholas, patron saint of the seafarers.

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