The guardians of Bizkaia
The Otsa or Ossa mansion was built in the late 17th century. The Ossa family were charged with keeping an eye on the people of Gipuzkoa, which led to their being known as the “guardians of Bizkaia”.
This is evidenced by the motto on their coat of arms, which translates as “As the voice and sentinel of Bizkaia, a worthy task, was the house of Ossa founded, to be always watchful”.
The family coat of arms can still be seen on the mansion on Berrio-Otxoa Kalea
However the motto only appears on the coat of arms on the Otsabarrena farmhouse in the outlying hamlet of Aldape, on the border with Gipuzkoa.
Antzeko Artikuluak
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