The hermitage of "Andra Mari de Agirre", Our Lady of Aguirre and the Snows, is located in Gorliz, in the upper part of the “Agirre-Areantza-Guzurmendi” neighbourhood, surrounded by fields. It is one of the municipality’s oldest buildings.
The original hermitage was built in the 11th century as the first monastery church of the Casa Solar de Butrón. Although it was mainly used as a church, the grounds surrounding it were also used to light beacons for approaching ships. A large bonfire was lit and, because it was built on steep terrain, it was visible from the sea. This is how the ships were “alerted” that there was land in this area, long before the modern-day lighthouse was built.
The seafarers took votive offerings to the hermitage to thank the Virgin for bringing them home safe and sound.
In various writings it is listed as one of the oldest hermitages in Bizkaia, and as a parish of Gorliz, Plentzia, Gatika and Laukiz, until these municipalities had their own churches.
The hermitage was remodelled as it stands today. Its walls are made of exposed masonry and the nave is topped by a gabled roof.
Every year, around the 5th of August, the traditional Andra Mari festival is held in the surrounding countryside. The 5th of August is usually the local Virgen de las Nieves feast day.