Santa Maria Church
The Santa Maria church is one of the most significant works of neoclassical architecture in Bizkaia. The neoclassical portico (porch area just outside of the church for congregating before and after services, traditional of Basque churches), part of the main façade, draws attention with it’s Doric columns that support a triangular pediment. The church has […]
Atalaya
In the Basque Country, the municipality of Bermeo has had the privilege of access to a observatory system for centuries. This observation point provides a view from Izaro island to the cape of Matxitxako. Thanks to these natural watchtowers Bermeo was always able to control an ample part of the costal zone along the Gulf […]
Old town
The houses of poor fisherman and workers of other simple trades contrasted with the firm walls of the towers that noblemen lived in, one true example being the Torre Ercilla. Although there were many other towers owned by noble families such as the Apiotza, Areiltza, Aroztegi, Arteaga, Ermendurua, Arreskuenaga, Erkoreka, Latxaga, Muxika and also the […]
Church of Santa Eufemia
The Santa Eufemia was originally constructed sometime during the XIII century and then reconstructed towards the end of the XV century. Located between the ports of Bermeo, it’s known as the “church of the port”. We can see examples of the gothic architectural style while observing the windows, doors and rib vaulted ceiling. The church […]
The San Juan Arch
The arch is named after San Juan because it is the arch that’s path led to the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (named after John the Baptist). This was the main gate of the wall because of the structure above the arch in shape of a tower. The XIV century arch has an interior […]
Gaztelu
Gaztelu is a small peninsula south of the old port. Even though it means castle in Basque there is no historical evidence that indicates that there has ever been one, although it was a refuge with cannons during the XVII and XIX centuries. This viewing point offers a different perspective of Bermeo. In front we […]
The Old Port
Other than the changes made to the facades, the majority of the homes follow the original blueprints. We can find the oldest fountain in Bizkaia built at the end of the XVI century. These houses are built against the cliff, attached to the rock of the terrain and present a steep slope. They are houses […]
The Ercilla Tower – Fisherman´s museum
This XV century tower/home is the oldest civil building that has been preserved in Bermeo. In the historic center of Bermeo there was at one point thirty tower homes. Until the middle of the XX century the Ercilla tower had people living in it. Nowadays, it is the Fisherman’s Museum. The base of the tower […]
The Franciscan Church and Cloisters
The convent of San Francisco in Bermeo is the oldest in Bizkaia according to provincial documentation. The Lordship of Bizkaia, the Count Tello and his wife Juana de Lara gave the order to construct it the 30th of January 1357. When the Franciscans first arrived to Bermeo, they didn’t find enough space to build their […]
