In the town square we will find the Basilica of the Holy Cross. At first it was just a small chapel. The portal had a wooden fence. Inside you could see the Crucified Christ. The image is in Byzantine style, from the 10th century, and has a very special feature: it does not have a beard.
At the end of the 16th century, a supposed miracle occurred and, as a result, devotion to the image spread throughout the Basque Country. Therefore, a Renaissance basilica was built on the site of the old chapel, and it still stands.
According to experts, the carving of the Holy Christ of Lezo has great artistic value, but, without a doubt, the legends that have arisen around it attract many visitors every year.
The Holy Christ of Lezo can be said to be one of the most famous religious images in the Basque Country.
According to legend, the image was found floating in the waters of the Bay of Pasaia around the 15th century. At the time, the event was considered a divine sign, so it is not surprising that the inhabitants of Pasaia, Errenteria and Lezo wanted it for themselves. According to legend, in the midst of so much conflict, they forgot about Christ and, lo and behold, the surprising thing was that when they opened the box again, the image had disappeared.
A little later, they found it in the place where the small temple is now located. So, all doubts were left behind and they decided that it should remain there. However, a resident of Pasaia did not agree with the divine decision and believed that one of the residents of Lezo had stolen it. So, when night fell, he decided to remove the nails and take it to Pasai Donibane. As soon as he arrived, another supposed divine miracle occurred. There was a terrible storm, although it was unusual for that date and place. What must the resident of Pasaia have thought when he opened the box during the storm and saw Christ heading towards Lezo. So, he decided to return to his original place and the storm ended.
Since then, it has become very famous and before the ships set out to work, they would approach the old hermitage (now a basilica) to seek good luck during the campaigns. It is also said that it answered the prayers of the faithful and healed them, so it is not surprising that many exvotos are found inside. The most fervent believers have always been the sick and sailors.
The so-called “exvoto” (from the Latin “ex voto”, “voto”) is an offering made to a god as a sign of a benefit received. It is assumed that many small prehistoric figurines were called “exvotos”. All over the world, citizens have made offerings to the gods to thank them for things. The supports have been numerous: small clay figurines, cups, etc.
An exvoto has survived to this day in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Lezo. It is a model of a ship. In coastal towns, models of ships have often been offered to thank for a danger or rescue.
In Gipuzkoa, there are many ex-voto ships swinging from the ceilings of churches: Arrasate, Deba, Eibar, Eskoriatza, Hernani, Irun, Mutriku, Tolosa, Pasaia Donibane, Pasai Antxo and Lezon.
Likewise, in the Basilica of the Holy Cross, you can see an 18th century altarpiece.
