La Encartada to make your day!
La Encartada Fabrika-Museoa is the place to travel and enjoy our industrial past.
Based in the region of Las Encartaciones, very close to Balmaseda, the oldest town in Bizkaia, you will find Boinas La Encartada Museoa. The building, founded in 1892, offers us today a fun and interesting trip to the Industrial Revolution.
The facility, carefully preserved and restored until today, was built on the initiative of the indiano Marcos Arena Bermejillo. When talking about Indianos, we make reference to all those encartados who emigrated to the Americas and went back to their land with great fortunes. His stories and legacies are also available in barrio de Concha, located in the magic valley of Karrantza .
Dig into our culture
An interesting range of options for culture vultures
Textile activity ended in 1992 and despite the 100 years of activity, its machinery, most of it of English origin and its full production line, remains intact. In fact, you will be able to know first-hand the whole manufacturing process, from the arrival of the raw material, the spinning and garmenting, to the packaging and shipment of the products.
Based in the region of Las Encartaciones, very close to Balmaseda, the oldest town in Bizkaia, you will find Boinas La Encartada Museoa. The building, founded in 1892, offers us today a fun and interesting trip to the Industrial Revolution.
The facility, carefully preserved and restored until today, was built on the initiative of the indiano Marcos Arena Bermejillo. When talking about Indianos, we make reference to all those encartados who emigrated to the Americas and went back to their land with great fortunes. His stories and legacies are also available in barrio de Concha, located in the magic valley of Karrantza .
Textile activity ended in 1992 and despite the 100 years of activity, its machinery, most of it of English origin and its full production line, remains intact. In fact, you will be able to know first-hand the whole manufacturing process, from the arrival of the raw material, the spinning and garmenting, to the packaging and shipment of the products. Although txapelas (berets in Basque) were, without a doubt, the star product, other types of clothing such as scarves, socks, skeins, masks or blankets were also manufactured.
But if La Encartada has been recognised as “ Anchor Point ” by the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), it is because it is more than just a museum. Therefore, do not expect to find a mere factory. La Encartada is a return to the past, to the olden days. You will visit the housing block, the director's offices, the New House and of course, the dam on the Cadagua river with its wonderful surroundings.
The museum offers a complete and varied cultural program, full of events, workshops and courses, carried out throughout the year. At the end of May and the beginning of June La Encartada Moda an important meeting of best designers and artists, takes place.
Recommendations:
Taking into account that La Encartada Fabrika-Museoa is open to different events, we recommend you to access its website or facebook and review its agenda, before heading to the museum.
Gastronomy
Where to eat
At this point, you will have noticed that even in the most remote corners of Bizkaia we preserve the love and tradition for good food.
In case of visiting the Encartaciones, it would be a sin to leave without trying the typical “putxera”, a delicious stew made with beans, bacon, sausage and black pudding.
Near the museum, you will find a couple of restaurants but if you are looking for more options, do not hesitate to stop in Balmaseda.
Accommodation
Where to sleep
It is difficult to breathe and enjoy the tranquility of the region and want to return straight away to the city.
For those who want to spend the night in the Encartaciones, you have a wide range of hotels, accommodations but particularly, rural houses and charming small accommodations.