Bermeo

Bermeo is a town and municipality in the comarca of Busturialdea. It is in the province of Biscay, which is part of the autonomous region of the Basque Country in northern Spain.

With a population of 16,765, it is the most important fishing port in the Basque Country. The town was founded in 1236, and is the largest in Busturialdea. Bermeo was the provincial capital of Biscay from 1476 to 1602.

Tourist attractions include the island of Gaztelugatxe, the Ercilla Tower (a fishing museum), San Juan Gate and the port. Bermeo is connected by Euskotren Trena and BizkaiBus to Bilbao. It has a number of neighbourhoods: Arana, Artike, Agirre, San Andres, Almike, Arronategi, San Migel, Demiku, Mañu and San Pelaio.

History

Bermeo's history dates back to the monastery of San Juan of Gaztelugatxe in 1051. In 1082, it is mentioned by Don Lope lñiguez as "Sancti Michaelis Arcangeli in Portu of Vermelio". Ferdinand II of Aragon named the town the capital of Biscay on 31 July 1476, a position it held until 1602. Many documents have been destroyed by fire; notable fires occurred in 1297, 1347, 1360, 1422 and 1504. The founding of Bilbao in 1300 also coincided with decline in Bermeo.

Climate

The town has an oceanic climate, with heavy rains in spring and late fall. The average annual minimum temperature is about 9 °C (48 °F), and the maximum is about 19 °C (66 °F). The record maximum temperature is 45 °C (113 °F), and the record minimum is -9 °C (16 °F).

File:Bermeo.jpg

Izaro Island and Cape Ogoño

Northwest: Bay of Biscay	North: Bay of Biscay	Northeast: Bay of Biscay
West: Bakio	File:Rosa de los vientos.svg	East: Elantxobe
Southwest Mungia and Meñaka	South: Arrieta	Southeast: Busturia and Mundaka

Population

As a result of increased immigration due to industrialisation during the 1960s, the population grew rapidly. Although it began to decline during the 1990s, the population has increased again since 2000.

Bermeo population, 1704–2013

1704	1784	1850	1900	1925	1960	1965	1970	1975	1981	1986	1991	1996	2001	2004
1,408	3,711	5,377	9,636	13,556	15,846	17,384	17,485	18,312	18,333	17,923	17,176	16,938	16,901	17,429

2007	2008	2010	2011	2012	2013
17,069	17,026	17,078	17,144	17,159	17,057

Economy

Statue of a man carrying a large oar

Itzulera by Casto Solano

Bermeo's economy is based on fishing, and its port is the town's chief source of revenue. It has a fleet of deep-sea vessels, and Bermeo's coastal fisheries are among the region's most important. In addition to fishing, diesel engines and generators are manufactured and the commercial port receives raw materials. Bermeo also has connections with the timber and undersea-gas industries.

Transportation

Bermeo is connected by road to Mungia ( away) by the BI-631 road and to Gernika-Lumo ( away) by the BI-2235. The BI-3101 connects the town with Bakio, away. The capital, Bilbao ( away), is reached by the BI-631 and the BI-2235.

BizkaiBus connects Bermeo with Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Bilbao, Derio and Bakio. Euskotren Trena connects the town directly with Bilbao, Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Biscay and Gipuzkoa. Bermeo also has taxi and Bermibusa (urban bus) service.

Attractions

Island connected to the mainland by a bridge

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

On the road to Bakio is the lighthouse of Matxitxako, on the cape of the same name. Further along is Akatz Island, next to Gaztelugatxe (an island with the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe monastery). During the 14th century a castle topped the island, which was replaced by the monastery. On 29 August a mass celebrates the feast of San Juan. The island is a protected area.

Small, rocky island

Akatz Island

Akatz Island, a small island next to Gaztelugatxe, has little vegetation but a significant nesting-bird population. On its cape is the Matxitxako lighthouse, which has good views of the coast and from which cetaceans may be seen. Izaro Island is part of the Urdaibai Reserve.

Bermeo's old town has many houses painted in different colours and narrow streets with squares. Aritzatxu is a small beach.

Ercilla Tower is the only remaining tower of 30 towers which defended Bermeo during the Middle Ages. In the old port, it was built at the end of the 15th century and housed the Ercilla family (including Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga, author of The Araucana). In addition to its military use, it housed fishermen and warehoused fish. It was renovated in 1948 with Gothic arches as the Fisherman's Museum; additional renovation was done in 1984 and 1985.

Modern house among others on the side of a hill

Kikunbera house

Bermeo's town hall, in Sabino Arana Goiri Square, was built in 1732. With two clocks on its facade, it is one of the town's Artistic Historical Monuments.

The Kikunbera house, in Basque Rationalist style, was designed to resemble a ship and has been an Artistic Historical Monument since 1995. Batzoki is a modernist building by Pedro Ispizua.

Gallery

• Old port
  Old port
• Marina
  Marina
• San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
  San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
• Santa María Church
  Santa María Church
• Aita Guria whaleboat
  Aita Guria whaleboat
• San Juan Gate
  San Juan Gate
• Aritzatxu Beach
  Aritzatxu Beach
• Ercilla Tower
  Ercilla Tower
• Aerial view
  Aerial view
• A panoramical view of Gaztelugatxe
  A panoramical view of Gaztelugatxe

External links

• BERMEO in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa) Template:In lang
• Town council Template:In lang
• Tourist information Template:In lang
• Fishermen Museum Template:In lang
• San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Template:In lang

Template:Sister project Template:Authority control