The bronze replica of Nestor Basterretxea’s “Álava” sculpture was placed on the top of Mount Aratz in 1995. But a couple of years later, Basterretxea's work disappeared. This weekend, Aritz Albisu, a neighbor of Araia, has been located 500 meters from the top and on Monday has been taken down to the City Hall of Asparrena. Nestor Basterretxea’s son, Gorka Basterretxea, confirmed on Wednesday that the sculpture is “Araba”.

After almost 25 years disappeared, the Aritz Albisu mountaineer found the sculpture “Álava” this weekend half a kilometer from the top of Mount Aratz. The mountaineer has taken a photograph of the work and sent it to his wife, who has identified the sculpture of Nestor Basterretxea. After contacting the mayor of Asparrena, Txelo Auzmendi, on Monday, Albisu, the mayor, a former municipal police officer and a forest guard have lowered the sculpture from the mountain to the town hall.

The bronze work is not seriously damaged and family members must now decide where to place it next to the City Hall. As stated by the SER medium, Gorka Basterretxea has stated that he would like it to be installed in an open space, as his father would like it as well.

Part of a trilogy

The work was built in 1962 by Nestor Basterretxea and his bronze replica, along with the sculptures “Bizkaia” and “Gipuzkoa”, was part of a trilogy. It was at the top of Mount Aratz, due to the symbolic value of the point that unites Navarra, Álava and Gipuzkoa.