La Rhune
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La Rhune ( modern Basque: Larrun - 'good pasture', French until the 20th century: Larhune ) is a mountain (892m) at the western end of the Pyrenees. It is located on the border between France and Spain, where the traditional Basque provinces of Labourd and Navarra meet. Its prominence is 670 m.
La Rhune holds an iconic place in Basque culture. It is covered in dolmens, stone circles and other neolithic monuments and was held to be a sacred place in Basque mythology. It was said to be the home of Leben Sugea, the first serpent. Later, and perhaps as a consequence of the ancient sacred sites, the summit had a reputation as an akelarre or ritual meeting place for witches. Up until the 18th century, local villages paid for a monk to live as a hermit at the top of the mountain to keep witches away and ensure good winds.
La Rhune and the local area were notable smuggling routes used for centuries, including for refugees during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Smuggling was of such importance that a local tale tells that the mountain was covered by gold until evil men came to take it away. They burned the trees on the mountain to reach the gold, but the metal melted and flowed away.
La Rhune is now a popular site for walks and hikes. A small train, Le Petit Train de La Rhune, takes visitors to the top of the mountain from the French side. Cows, a few pottok ponies and manech sheep wander the slopes.
La Rhune still holds an iconic place in Basque culture, with many inns and restaurants bearing its name and its distinctive shape adorning many souvenirs and logos.
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