The story that inspired the film Handia
Handia,theGiantofAltzo
The2.42mtallman
Handia, the film that won 10 Goya awards, filmed in Basque language and directed by Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño, tells the real story of Miguel Joaquin Eleizegi, a man from Altzo who suffered from gigantism, which made him famous internationally. This is his story.
Miguel Joaquin Eleicegui
Miguel Joaquín Eleicegui has made Altzo’s name famours, as he was introduced as the Basque Giant in Europe. He was a real person, even if still nowadays there’s people who believe he was a mythological creature.
Altzo,Handia’sbirthplace
Miguel Joaquin, nicknamed Aundiya –Giant in Basque– was born on July 10, 1818 at Ipintza-Zahar farmhouse, which later was renamed as Ipintza Haundi, located in Altzo Azpi. Nowadays there’s a carved statue of the giant inside.
Theillness
Even though he had a normal growth during his childhood and teen years, as adult he suffered a severe disease after which he started to grow excessively: in a short period of time he grew a lot.
The Giant's measurements
The first time he was measured his height was 2.10m, while the last one gave a height of 2.42m. His arm span was of 2.27m. His weight reached 212kg. The length of his shoes was 42cm, while his gloves were 31cm long. His hat’s circumference was approximately 62cm.
Theideaofexhibitinghimself
José Antonio Arzadun took the giant to different European cities in order to make money, just like Phileas Taylor Barnum did. This American exhibited people with acromegalia, body disfigurement or dwarfism, drawing people’s attention.
Deathandbones
He died in 1861 when he was 43, due to lung tuberculosis, and was buried in Altzo’s graveyard. It was believed that his bones had been stolen by a collector, until a dig in the graveyard in 2020 found that the bones where actually there.
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