Itsasmuseum

Visit the Itsasmuseum to understand the origins of Bilbao and Bizkaia. This maritime museum tells the story forged by the estuary, with industrial heritage such as the Carola crane and the Athletic barge. A must-see on your cultural tour of the city.

Bilbao and Bizkaia cannot be understood without the estuary and the sea. Itsasmuseum, right next to the Euskalduna Palace, right by the banks of the river, helps visitors understand the region’s connection with seafaring.

The exterior of the museum provides a striking heritage ensemble that reflects the importance of the shipbuilding industry in Bilbao.

The docks, built in 1868, the caisson, the Pump House and the Carola crane are privileged witnesses to a city forged alongside the estuary.

Today, these venues house the museum’s collection of vessels, including
the Gánguil Portu, the first vessel built for Altos Hornos de Vizcaya in 1902, and the iconic Gabarra.

PERMANENTEXHIBITION

Inside, the permanent exhibition invites visitors to discover maritime history as an essential starting point for understanding the origins of Bilbao.

The estuary serves as the guiding line of a narrative that opens up to the Bizkaia Gulf and its coastline, highlighting the shipbuilding project and other fundamental activities: trade, mining, industrial development, steel shipbuilding, crafts, the port and the spectacular urban transformation that has made Bilbao an international benchmark for culture.