Heritage

Industrial Heritage

Explore the industrial legacy of Debabarrena

The history of Debabarrena is deeply marked by a rich industrial legacy that has been an engine of progress and transformation. From small workshops driven by its natural environment to the diversification of its industries, this region has a heritage that reflects ingenuity, resilience and the ability to adapt over the centuries.

Oficina de Deba
Oficina de Mutriku

Debabarrena: a corner with a rich industrial heritage

The industrial heritage of Debabarrena is one of the greatest references in the industrial history of the Basque Country. Its natural environment encouraged the creation of numerous workshops in the region. Over time, local industries undertook a process of industrial diversification, adapting to the challenges of each era and becoming an example of industrial evolution and resilience.

Some emblematic companies in the region, such as Alfa, Orbea, BH or El Casco, are clear examples of this transformation. Although they began manufacturing weapons, they knew how to take advantage of their technical experience and machinery to specialize in other products, such as sewing machines, bicycles or desk accessories. These companies are today a symbol of the innovation and adaptability of the Debabarrena industry.

Over the past hundred years, the people of Debabarrena have demonstrated a constant ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Preserving this industrial legacy is essential to prevent the knowledge and history accumulated over the centuries from being lost.

Those who visit Debabarrena have the opportunity to discover its fascinating industrial heritage. The Museum of the Arms Industry of Eibar and the Machine Tool Museum of Elgoibar are obligatory stops to learn more about the industrial history of the region. In these spaces, you can not only explore the rich history of weapons manufacturing, but also admire some of the most outstanding products created by Debabarrena companies.

As a well-known saying goes: “In the face of adversity, overcoming.” And this is, precisely, the essence of Debabarrena’s industrial heritage.

Museums

Arms Museum Industry

Machine-tool Museum

Arms Museum Industry

The city of Eibar has a museum dedicated to the conservation and dissemination of historical memory and industrial heritage. This museum houses, on the one hand, the collection of weapons from the old Armory School Museum, and on the other, it offers a journey through the history of Eibar industry, from the 14th century to the present day. In it, you can find a wide variety of products manufactured in Eibar.
Arms Museum Industry
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Machine-tool Museum

This museum pays tribute to the ironworkers, forgers and craftsmen of Elgoibar. With its facilities and machines in operation, it uniquely presents manufacturing procedures, technical descriptions and practical examples with real machining operations. In addition, the Museum serves as a teaching guide to show the origin and evolution of the different technologies used in mechanical manufacturing processes.
Machine-tool Museum
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The heritage of Debabarrena
a cultural treasure...

The old quarter in Mutriku

The streets of Mutriku have been officially recognised as an important monumental complex and are a wonderful way of learning about much of the history of the Basque Coast. It is also a great way of finding out more about eminent local characters, such as sailors Cosme Damián Txurruka and Antonio Gaztañeta.
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Patrimonio adscrito a camino de Santiago

Situado entre Bilbao, San Sebastián y Vitoria, Debabarrena presenta una excelente oferta hotelera. Hoteles con vistas al mar y cercanos a la playa, en valles escondidos, en la monte, para descansar, cercanos a las zonas industriales del País Vasco (Bilbao, Mondrágón, Elgoibar, Eibar, …), con talasoterapia, con hidromasaje, con jacuzzi, …

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Museums

Six museums that deliver a great deal of insight into aspects of the region, including industry, geology, fossils, minerals, prehistory and more.

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San Blas

Christmas is over, but in Debabarrena we continue to make winter as sweet as possible. On 3 February, we make the most popular treat in our traditional repertoire of cakes and biscuits: Tortas de San Blas (Saint Blaise biscuits). Come and try them!

The tradition of making biscuits to celebrate the Feast of Saint Blaise is not exclusive to Debabarrena, and is typical also in other parts of the Basque Country, such as Abadiño and Llodio.

In our region, however, many people still make these biscuits at home and then take them to church to be blessed. Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throat-related problems, which is why, according to popular belief, in addition to eating the biscuits, you should also take a piece of string to church to be blessed, and then wear it tied around your neck for nine days before burning it. This will provide protection against colds and other illnesses for an entire year.

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 1 kg wheat flour
  • 6 eggs
  • 125 g pork lard (or butter or margarine)
  • ½ kg granulated sugar
  • 1 sachet of baking powder
  • 15 drops of aniseed essence

For the glaze:

  • 2 egg whites
  • 250 g icing sugar
  • 10 drops of lemon juice
  • 3 drops of aniseed essence

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 180º C.
  • Place the flour on a clean worktop and push into a volcano shape.
  • Break the eggs into the dip in the centre and mix with your hands.
  • Add the lard (or butter or margarine) and knead.
  • Gradually add the sugar and aniseed essence.
  • Knead until the dough is no longer sticky.
  • Shape into a ball and leave to stand for at least half an hour at room temperature.
  • Sprinkle the worktop and a rolling pin with flour.
  • Divide the dough into small balls and squash them down to around half a centimetre in thickness.
  • Adjust the shape using a plate or tray.
  • For a fluted border, pinch round the edge.
  • Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for around 15-20 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown but not toasted.
  • Meanwhile, for the glaze, beat the egg whites until stiff.
  • Still beating, add the icing sugar, lemon juice and aniseed essence until you have a dense white paste.
  • Spread the glaze over the still-warm biscuits using a spoon.