Larceveau-Arros-Cibits, village of discoidal steles

The Basque Country discoidal steles interpretation centre

Harriak Iguzkitan

The Basque Country discoidal steles interpretation centre is located in the centre of Larceveau. Since 2007, the Harriak Iguzkitan centre (meaning “stones in the sun” in Basque) has enabled visitors to discover some of the oldest and most beautiful traditional Basque funeral monuments. This centre was built thanks to the Lauburu association.

Discoidal steles

The base of a discoidal stele has a trapezium shape which represents the earth, and a circular top which represents the sun. The monument as a whole represents the passage of the soul of the deceased from life on earth to the afterlife.

17th century steles

Today, the centre is home to some of the oldest standing steles. Some date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The circular part of the stele is often engraved with symbols referring to the life of the deceased.

The Ezkoa funeral candle

The traditional Ezkoa candle is an important part of mourning traditions in the Basque Country. It’s made from a beeswax thread that is wrapped around itself or a piece of sculpted wood, to represent eternal life. Today, they are only made by Benedictines in the religious community at Belloc Abbey in Urt.

The museum

Museoa

You can discover the steles around the exterior of the Basque Country discoidal steles centre. The centre’s interior is a museum that allows you to learn more about Basque funerary art and traditions.

Explanation of the discoidal steles by Claude LABAT, member of the LAUBURU association