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All Spain Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria
AO Edited

Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria

Get a close-up look at a 16th-century Basque whaling ship at this factory and museum.

Pasaia, Spain

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Hanna V.
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San Juan replica seen from outside peaking out of the wharf   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Galleon replica   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Boats in the indoor wharf   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Port of Pasaia   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Model of the San Juan de Pasajes   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
San Juan replica outside   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Clamps on the hull   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Student working on the replica   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of a chalupa (small whale boat)   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Albaola logo   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Ship building tools   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Long wooden beams & tools   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Museum installation   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Model building workshop room   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Inside wharf for repairs   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Graffiti on the factory outside wall   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Route to the Sea Factory, School & Museum   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Pasaia boulevard   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Information plaque in the museum   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Taking measurements   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Students at work   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Donation box in the museum   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Poster detailing which parts were sponsored by which companies   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
View at the back of the San Juan galleon   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
The hull being built   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
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Just outside of the city of San Sebastian lies the small town of Pasaia, which was once a main whaling port of Europe. The town has a long boulevard and active port. At the very end of a winding path lies a boat factory that houses a boat-building school, a museum, and a boat wharf. 

A little bit of a history lesson is needed here: the Basques were among the first people to catch whales for commercial reasons. They sailed as far as Terranova (now the area known as Newfoundland) to catch whales in the 16th century. One of their ships was the San Juan de Pasajes, which sank off the coast of Canada in Red Bay. The wreckage is the oldest ever found in Canada. After its discovery in 1978, the wreckage was extensively researched until 1985. The excavation was done underwater and made it a unique and exemplary operation. Lots of information about how the Basques caught whales and how they influenced the local culture in Labrador and Newfoundland was unearthed. 

All of that information and a model of the San Juan whaling ship can be found in this museum. It is very interesting and interactive. You'll see the model building workshop and find out how ship rigging works, among other things.

But what makes this place really special and worthwhile is that the factory has been building a replica of the San Juan, to scale. So it is a ship-building school, as this is a craft that was almost lost. They aim to keep it alive and students from all over the world come here for an extended stay to learn how to build ships. So you get to walk around the actual ship while it's being built. You can also sponsor the factory by buying some nails or a rigging system. The factory also offers workshops and guided tours.

Related Tags

Shipwrecks Museums Fishing Ships Boats Factories

Know Before You Go

Pasaia is easily accessible from San Sebastian by bike and the ride is well worth your while. When entering the village, follow the signs to the Torreko Plaza (a small square). From here you'll need to walk, as cycling is prohibited. You can park your bike at the square and then walk for 5 minutes along the river to the factory and museum.

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Vrielinkie

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March 25, 2022

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  • https://aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2020/12/14/the-albaola-factory-or-how-to-live-basque-maritime-history-first-hand/
Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria
1 De Ondartxo, Paseo Ibilbidea
Pasaia, 20110
Spain
43.329106, -1.925773
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