Santurtzi
- A journey between beginnings and the futureOrduña — Bilbao
Description
Santurtzi is a coastal municipality in Biscay whose identity is deeply shaped by the sea. Its fishing harbour sets the daily rhythm of the town: fishermen mending nets, fresh catches being unloaded, the Fishermen's Brotherhood, and the theatrical fish auctions held in the harbour's auction hall. The Reina Victoria Maritime Promenade and its adjoining park extend this lively, unpretentious seafront.
The Sea Museum (Santurtzi Itsas Museoa) traces the history of the municipality and its seafaring community, offering a window into how the coastline has changed over the centuries. Alongside it, the Agurtza Museum Boat — the only traditional wooden fishing vessel open to visitors in Biscay — serves as an interpretation centre for northern tuna fishing techniques.
Monte Serantes, rising above the town, offers panoramic views over the Basque Coast and the mouth of the Nervión estuary. Nearby, the Bizkaia Bridge — the world's first transporter bridge, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 — links Santurtzi with the opposite bank of the ría. Local gastronomy revolves around seasonal fish from the Cantabrian Sea, with grilled sardines standing as the most emblematic dish of the municipality.
