Balmaseda

Tourism destinations

Towns

With vestiges of the middle ages and railway history, Balmaseda has a rich and varied cultural heritage.

As well as its landscapes filled with mountains, forests and rivers, it offers the chance to enjoy endless options in the open air.

This town received throughout history many pilgrims and traders, so that it developed during some centuries an intense trade activity. As meeting point for people from different cultures, today it keeps many traditions and festivities.

With regard to its cultural heritage we should mention the beautiful church of San Severino, built in the 15th century, and the church of San Juan, Gothic building located near the River Kadagua. Likewise, we should visit the convent of Santa Clara and Urrutia and Horcasitas Palaces. From there, we willl go to the old bridge, aka La Muza, the oldest spot in Balmaseda, which keeps a tower. This medieval building worked as customs, where people had to pay a tax for passing through this bridge alone or with their goods.

Boinas La Encartada Museum is located on the outskirts of Balmaseda, on the shore of Cadagua river. The site intends to spread the valuable industrial legacy of the textile factory. A plant involved in the production of woollen knitwear -berets mainly- since its foundation back in 1892 to its closure in 1992.

Balmaseda offers many itineraries and walks through the surrounding mountains. One of the most interesting routes takes us to Kolitza Mountain (879 m), one of the five mounts of Bizkaia, together with Oiz, Gorbeia, Sollube and Ganekogorta.

Traditions and festivities

Balmaseda's patron saint festival is consecrated to San Severino, and hosts the typical "Concurso de Pucheras" (Pot-cooking contest). Other interesting celebrations take place in Easter, when the neighbours of the town perform the Via Crucis, or the traditional medieval market, with a brilliant staging that takes us back in time.