Best attractions and places to see around Morga, a municipality in the province of Biscay, Basque Country, Spain. Situated at approximately 205 meters above sea level, the area is characterized by its natural surroundings. Morga serves as a starting point for exploring the region's cultural and natural landmarks. This charming location offers a blend of historical sites and unique artistic expressions within its landscape.
Last updated: June 24, 2026
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Recreation of Picasso's famous painting. The original can be seen in Madrid.
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The Oma Forest - Omako basoa in Basque - is also known as the painted forest, the enchanted forest or even the Ibarrola Forest. Its most common name - Oma Forest - refers to the district in which it is located, which belongs to the municipality of Kortezubi. This original work of art was created between 1982 and 1985, when the Basque painter and sculptor Agustín Ibarrola used the trunks of trees as a kind of canvas for a total of 47 images. On them he painted animals, geometric figures and people, or just parts of them, such as eyes and lips. In addition, many of the compositions do not consist of a single tree, but must be viewed in the context of several tree trunks. To do this, you must pay attention to the signs on the ground that tell the viewer where to stand in order to enjoy the whole image.
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When the Condor attacked, the residents of Guernica tried to protect the tree with their bodies because it is sacred to the Basques. Even today, elected politicians have to swear their loyalty to the Basque Country at an oak tree that stands a few meters away.
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In 1982, artist Agustín Ibarrola began painting the pine trees in the forest near his homestead with the intention of using the landscape as a canvas to give continuity to his artistic expression. It is at this moment when he decides to break the law of perspective and transgress the three-dimensionality of a white line until it becomes two-dimensional. From then on, he explored the possibilities offered by the arrangement of the forest trees, playing with the different planes of depth and creating artistic sets composed of human figures, curves or straight lines, and circles of intense colors. The ideas and concepts that it develops become more complex and advances in various directions as the painted forest expands. With the help of two students from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UPV/EHU, he carried out a large part of the work that was open to the public until 2018, at which time the biological cycle of the forest came to an end. Given the importance that the work had acquired, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia began the process of making the Forest last, for which it had from the first moment the support of the artist who had made clear his desire for the forest to survive. In this way and in order to preserve El Bosque de Oma, the Ibarrola work has been moved to a new location, also recovering original artistic ensembles lost due to felling, attacks and natural tree falls. Today we can enjoy El Bosque de Oma more complete and more faithful to the artist's original idea.
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The Forest of Oma is one of the best-known works of the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola and is an expression of the artistic movement known as Art and Nature, which emerged in the late sixties of the 20th century and whose purpose is to convey artistic work to the natural environment, using the landscape as a framework, support and raw material for the artist. The work, located in the town of Kortezubi (Bizkaia), is made up of several sets of geometric motifs and figures painted on the trunk of radiata pine trees. The use of natural living supports, the play of two-three-dimensionality and the experience of placing the visitor at the center of the work of art through his discovery, as well as the diversity of responses it proposes, make this work a reference of the Art and Nature movement and of Basque Art in particular.
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Wall reproduction of Picasso's painting "Guernica" exhibited at the Reina Sofía Museum in Paris.
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Gernikako Arbola is an oak tree in the Basque city of Gernika.
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The painting shows the horrors of war through the interpretation of the symbols.
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Around Morga, you can discover the unique Oma Forest, also known as the 'painted forest'. This outdoor art installation features geometric motifs and figures painted on tree trunks by Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola, using the natural landscape as his canvas. It's an expression of the Art and Nature movement.
Yes, Morga is close to several historical sites. You can visit the Artzubi Bridge, a well-preserved 16th-century Romanesque bridge that is part of the Camino de Santiago itinerary. Additionally, the Guernica Mural in Gernika is a significant man-made monument, a reproduction of Picasso's painting commemorating the 1937 bombing of Guernica, capturing the horrors of war through symbolic imagery.
The Morga area is characterized by its beautiful natural surroundings. Besides the artistic intervention of the Oma Forest, which blends art with nature, you can also find the historic Old Tree of Gernika (Gernikako Arbola), an oak tree with deep historical significance in the Basque city of Gernika.
Yes, several attractions around Morga are considered family-friendly. The Oma Forest offers an engaging and interactive experience for all ages, where visitors can discover art within nature. The Guernica Mural in Gernika and the Old Tree of Gernika also provide educational and accessible experiences for families.
Morga serves as a good starting point for various outdoor activities. You can explore gravel biking routes like the 'Bar del Vivero – Gentle Slope Trail loop' or 'Butrón Castle – View of the Jata Coast loop'. For mountain biking, options include the 'Centro BTT Urdaibai Ruta 8' or the 'Sollube Summit – Summit of Sollube loop'. Road cyclists can enjoy routes such as the 'Biscay Tour Trail: Gernika - Elantxobe Loop' or the 'Monte Oiz and Balcón de Bizkaia Loop'. You can find more details on these routes in the respective guides for gravel biking, MTB trails, and road cycling around Morga.
While specific hiking trails directly within Morga village are not extensively detailed, the region's natural surroundings suggest opportunities for walking. The Access path to the Oma Forest is a track that leads to the famous painted forest, starting from the interpretation center of the Santimamiñe caves, offering a pleasant walk through the forest.
Visitors particularly appreciate the unique blend of art and nature found in the Oma Forest, often describing it as an 'enchanted forest' and a reference point for the Art and Nature movement. The Artzubi Bridge is admired for its well-preserved 16th-century Romanesque architecture and how it blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. The Guernica Mural in Gernika is valued for its powerful commemoration of history and its symbolic depiction of the horrors of war.
While specific public transport details for each attraction are not provided, Morga is a municipality in the province of Biscay, Basque Country, Spain. For attractions like the Guernica Mural in Gernika and the Old Tree of Gernika, located in the city of Gernika, public transport options are generally available to reach the city itself. For more remote natural sites like the Oma Forest, visitors often park near the Santimamiñe caves interpretation center and walk the access path.
The provided information does not specify permit requirements for hiking in Urkiola Natural Park or Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. It is advisable to check the official websites of these natural parks or local tourist information centers for the most up-to-date regulations regarding permits before planning your hike.
The guide highlights Morga's natural surroundings, suggesting that spring and autumn would likely offer pleasant weather for exploring the Oma Forest and other outdoor attractions. Summer can also be a good time, though it might be warmer. For specific weather conditions, it's always best to check a local forecast closer to your travel dates.
While the guide focuses on prominent attractions, the Artzubi Bridge, a 16th-century Romanesque bridge, could be considered a hidden gem for those who appreciate historical architecture nestled within natural landscapes. Its integration into the Camino de Santiago itinerary adds to its charm and historical significance, often discovered by those exploring the route.


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