Bermeo

Last updated
Bermeo
Municipality
Bermeo Euskal Herria1.JPG
Bandera de Bermeo.svg
Flag
Escudo de Bermeo.svg
Coat of arms
Basque Country location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bermeo
Location of Bermeo in the Basque Country
Spain location map with provinces.svg
Red pog.svg
Bermeo
Bermeo (Spain)
Coordinates: 43°25′12″N2°43′35″W / 43.42000°N 2.72639°W / 43.42000; -2.72639
Country Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Autonomous community Flag of the Basque Country.svg  Basque Country
Province Biscay
Comarca Busturialdea
Founded1236
Government
 •  Mayor Aritz Abaroa Cantauriense (EAJ-PNV)
Area
 • Total34.12 km2 (13.17 sq mi)
Elevation
 (AMSL)
11 m (36 ft)
Population
 (2018) [1]
 • Total16,688
 • Density490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Demonym bermeotar
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
48370
Area code +34 (Spain)
Official language(s) Basque, Spanish
Website Official website

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.

Contents

With a population of 16,765, it is the most important fishing port in the Basque Country.[ citation needed ] 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.

Bermeoko portu zaharra.jpg
Bermeo's marina

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).

Climate data for Bermeo
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)13.2
(55.8)		14.5
(58.1)		15.9
(60.6)		16.8
(62.2)		20.1
(68.2)		22.6
(72.7)		25.2
(77.4)		25.5
(77.9)		24.4
(75.9)		20.8
(69.4)		16.4
(61.5)		14
(57)		19.1
(66.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)4.7
(40.5)		5.1
(41.2)		5.7
(42.3)		7.1
(44.8)		10.1
(50.2)		12.6
(54.7)		14.8
(58.6)		15.2
(59.4)		13.2
(55.8)		10.8
(51.4)		7.6
(45.7)		6
(43)		9.4
(48.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)126
(5.0)		97
(3.8)		94
(3.7)		124
(4.9)		90
(3.5)		64
(2.5)		62
(2.4)		82
(3.2)		74
(2.9)		121
(4.8)		141
(5.6)		116
(4.6)		1,195
(47.0)
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología [2]
Izaro Island and Cape Ogono Bermeo.jpg
Izaro Island and Cape Ogoño
Northwest: Bay of Biscay North: Bay of Biscay Northeast: Bay of Biscay
West: Bakio 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
170417841850190019251960196519701975198119861991199620012004
1,4083,7115,3779,63613,55615,84617,38417,48518,31218,33317,92317,17616,93816,90117,429
200720082010201120122013
17,06917,02617,07817,14417,15917,057

Economy

Itzulera by Casto Solano Bermeo fisher sculpture.JPG
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 (18 km [11 mi] away) by the BI-631 road and to Gernika-Lumo (14 km [8.7 mi] away) by the BI-2235. The BI-3101 connects the town with Bakio, 12 km (7.5 mi) away. The capital, Bilbao (33 km [21 mi] 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

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Gaztelugatxe Connected.jpg
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.

Akatz Island Aketx Gaztelugatxeko Donienetik 2006-07-06.JPG
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.

Kikunbera house Bermeo kinkunbera house.JPG
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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euskotren Trena</span> Railway service in the Basque Country, Spain

Euskotren Trena, formerly known just as Euskotren is a commuter, inter-city and urban transit train-operating company that operates local and inter-city passenger services in the provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country, Spain. It is one of the four commercial brands under which Euskotren operates, as a public company managed by the Basque government. The entire 181.1-kilometre (112.5 mi) network uses 1,000 mm narrow gauge rail tracks which have been owned by the Basque Government since their transferral from the Spanish government; the rail tracks and stations were part of the FEVE network until its transferral. Euskotren Trena also operates the Donostia/San Sebastián metro under the brand Metro Donostialdea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amorebieta-Etxano</span> Municipality in Basque Country, Spain

Amorebieta-Etxano, also known as Zornotza, is a town and municipality located in Biscay in the Basque Country, an Autonomous Community in northern Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dima, Spain</span> Municipality in Basque Country, Spain

Dima is a town and municipality of the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country, Spain. Dima is part of the comarca of Arratia-Nerbioi and had a population of 1,313 inhabitants in 2010 according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mundaka</span> Municipality in Euskadi, Spain

Mundaka is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in northern Spain. Mundaka is internationally renowned for the surfing community that takes advantage of its coast and unique oceanic conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zaldibar</span> Municipality in Basque Country, Spain

Zaldibar is an elizate, town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country, Spain. Zaldibar is part of the comarca of Durangaldea and has a population of 3,043 inhabitants as of 2019 and according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bilbao-Atxuri station</span> Spanish train station

Bilbao-Atxuri is a former terminal railway station in Bilbao, Basque Country (Spain). It served as the terminus station for the commuter rail trains of Euskotren Trena lines to Durango, Bermeo, Eibar and Donostia for over one hundred years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo (Bilbao metro)</span> Metro station in Bilbao, Spain

Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo – Zazpikaleak and Casco Viejo – is a railway station in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. It is located in the historical neighborhood of Casco Viejo, in the district of Ibaiondo. It links the Bilbao metro rapid transit services with the Euskotren Trena commuter rail network. It is the main railway hub for trips between the metropolitan underground network and the railway services to Eibar, Gernika, Bermeo and San Sebastián as well as the Txorierri valley. The original metro station opened on 11 November 1995, and on 8 April 2017 in its current form.

Lurgorri is a railway station in Gernika, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muxika station</span> Railway station in Muxika, Basque Country, Spain

Muxika is a railway station in Muxika, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

Zugastieta is a railway station in Muxika, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

Amorebieta Geralekua is a railway station in Amorebieta-Etxano, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

Forua is a railway station in Forua, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

San Kristobal is a railway station in Busturia, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

Axpe is a railway station in Busturia, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itsasbegi station</span> Railway station in Busturia, Basque Country, Spain

Itsasbegi is a railway station in Busturia, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mundaka station</span> Railway station in Mundaka, Basque Country, Spain

Mundaka is a railway station in Mundaka, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bermeo station</span> Railway station in Bermeo, Basque Country, Spain

Bermeo is a railway station in Bermeo, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gernika station</span> Railway station in Gernika, Basque Country, Spain

Gernika is a railway station in Gernika, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Urdaibai line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lutxana–Sondika line</span> Railway in the Basque Country, Spain

The Lutxana–Sondika line is a single-track branchline in Biscay, Basque Country, Spain. Owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea, it runs from Lutxana to Sondika, connecting line 1 of the Bilbao metro with the Txorierri line. It is a remnant of the former Lutxana–Mungia line, which was partially closed in May 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amorebieta station</span> Railway station in Amorebieta-Etxano, Basque Country, Spain

Amorebieta is a railway station in Amorebieta-Etxano, Basque Country, Spain. It is owned by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and operated by Euskotren. It lies on the Bilbao-San Sebastián line.

References

  1. ↑ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ↑ "Valores Climatológicos Normales. Bilbao / Aeropuerto. Periodo 1971–2000". aemet.es . Archived from the original on 29 June 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.