Santurzi

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Mouth of the river Nervion

A walk by Santurtzi: a Basque fishing port

08/20/2006

With the monument to the Carmen Virgin, the sea people’s beloved patroness, and the Brotherhood of Fishermen as reference points, the fishing port receives colourful boats.

Dominating the left border of the Abra, the mouth of the River Nervión, Santurtzi is a village, which has always been related to its great port and to its sardines, the ones that are remembered in the folk song “Desde Santurce a Bilbao…”.

Besides, foot as an outdoors sculpture museum can cross it. Up to its classic monuments dedicated to the Carmen Virgin, in the fishing port, and to the sardine woman’s image, in Iparraguirre promenade, Santurtzi has recently added a genuine outdoors contemporary sculpture museum. Fifteen works by Spanish and foreign sculptors have been installed in what they want to be a plural and growing museum. The Sculpture Museum of Santurtzi consists of fifteen bronze and steel works, a new proposal which spreads over its principal parks and promenades.

The art is another appeal for a walk, which may begin in the fishing port and continue by the marina. There, around the sports centre, we will find the first pieces of the sculpture museum.

Next to Ramón Rubial Park, the Oriol Palace takes us back to a century ago. This building, built by the architect Achurraco, is an eclectic style example from the beginning of the twentieth century. They have just reopened it as a hotel called Palacio de Oriol NH Hotel.

Going off along the Cristóbal Murrieta Avenue, we will arrive at the Town Hall and at San Jorge’s Church. This 1905 Town Hall building of French inspiration has two curious domes covered by black slate and stained glass in its inside staircase.

Further on, the monument to the sardine woman is in Iparraguirre promenade, of course, “with her skirt tucked up / showing off his calf…”. Laucarini is the author of the sculpture, which pays homage to the sardine woman traditional figure, who used to sell fish charmingly.

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