Zumaia, Coastal municipality in Gipuzkoa, Spain
Zumaia is a coastal town in Gipuzkoa positioned between the Bay of Biscay and mountains, with two beaches displaying unusual stacked rock formations. These distinctive layered stone sections at Itzurun and Santiago beaches formed over millions of years and resemble colorful striped patterns.
The town was founded in 1347 and developed around the Monastery of Santa Maria, which provided shelter from pirate raids along the coast. This monastery remained the community center for centuries, shaping residents' lives.
The San Pedro church displays Basque-Gothic details with pointed arches and stone carvings visible in the town center. The building shows how people here have organized their community life around faith for centuries.
Visitors can take guided tours throughout the year to explore the rock formations at the beaches. Good hiking gear and water-resistant shoes are helpful, as paths along the cliffs can be slippery and damp in places.
The rock layers here were recognized in 2022 by the International Union of Geological Sciences as a world reference site. This makes the formations a special point that experts worldwide reference when discussing Earth's development.
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