Albaola, the Basque Maritime Factory

The guided tour of Albaola in Pasaia offers you the chance to discover Basque maritime heritage through the construction of a 16th-century whaling ship.

During this visit, a specialised guide will accompany you around the Albaola facilities, where you will be able to see how a traditional Basque ship is reconstructed, specifically the Nao San Juan. The Nao San Juan was a Basque whaling ship that sank off the coast of Canada in 1565. The ship belonged to Juan de Fuca’s expedition, which was looking for a trade route between Spain and Asia. The Nao San Juan sank in St John Bay, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The reconstruction of the Nao San Juan is being carried out with traditional techniques, using natural materials such as wood and iron, and is expected to be completed in 2025. In the meantime, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Factory to learn about the reconstruction process!