The town of Areatza and the entire Arratia region remember and still consider the Bolibar Asylum as a heritage serving the community. This building was inaugurated on April 18, 1926, with a very clear purpose: to house the elderly and educate needy children free of charge. It was the wish and legacy left to the town by Bartolome Bolibar Añibarro, whose direct family has been closely linked to Areatza since at least the year 1600.
Bartolome Bolibar Añibarro, born in 1844, graduated in Civil and Canon Law from the Central University of Madrid. He was appointed a member of the municipal corporation of Villaro (now Areatza) at the beginning of the Third Carlist War and, upon its conclusion in 1876, held the position of deputy mayor. His political career advanced, and in 1886 he was appointed deputy of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, under the presidency of Pablo Alzolaren. During this period, the renewal of the economic agreement was negotiated, and communications, health centers, and education were promoted.
Despite his significant political projection, Bolibar never lost his connection with his hometown. Throughout his life, he made economic loans to the Villaro (Areatza) City Council and was consulted as a lawyer on numerous matters. Furthermore, he was a staunch defender and promoter of Basque culture, actively collaborating in the Lore-Jokoak Euscaras Festivals.
Bartolome Bolibar Añibarro died unmarried in 1923, possessing a considerable fortune. Having no heirs, he bequeathed all his assets, estimated at 1.2 million pesetas, to the creation of a Foundation intended to build a facility for housing the elderly and educating needy children free of charge. He also made donations to the poor and parishes of Areatza and Zeanuri, as well as to the Convent.
“"A heritage at the service of the people."
Today, after a comprehensive rehabilitation project funded by the Department of Education of the Basque Government, the building houses the Herriko Eskola of Areatza. However, the town and the Arratia region do not forget its social past and what it represented. Therefore, it is not surprising that the commemoration of the centenary of the Bolibar Asylum's inauguration, held on April 18, was so well received. The program included a public exhibition of original Foundation documents and a series of photographs, culminating in a floral offering and the performance of a musical piece in homage to Bartolome de Bolibar's solidarity vision.
