Our Amatxu (Mother) is the lovely term by which the patron saint of Bizkaia, the Virgen de Begoña is known. This gothic religious temple is one of the most beloved and emblematic religious symbols in Bilbao. We have great devotion to the Virgin of this church, even outranking the Cathedral. With our long tradition of fishing and seafaring dating back to the early 15th century, innumerable Bilbao boats have carried the name “Virgin of Begoña” or simply “Begoña”. We are great avid soccer fans and the city’s Athletic Club football players come here to offer up prayers and thanks for their victories.