Punta Begoña Galleries, a heritage that helps us to remember the past of Bizkaia from a unique point of view.
Thanks to the efforts of different public bodies, this architectural work of art has been partially recovered for opening to the public. The city council of Getxo together with many other organizations and companies are studying and reconstructing what was once the office of one of the most prestigious men of Bilbao, Horacio Echevarrieta.
Exterior of the galleries of Punta Begoña
The same galleries that in the past were awarded in a public tender to the Barceló hotel group, will in the future be open to the public. The Barceló group had planned a new hotel on the Basque coast located on the same site as the Punta Begoña galleries in Getxo. In order to build it, they were counting on the total destruction of the galleries, something totally impossible since they are declared as heritage of the municipality. In view of this, the Barceló group rejected the opportunity to convert the Punta Begoña galleries into a hotel, leaving a deposit of €1,200,000 in the city council’s coffers. Thanks to this money, today you can visit part of the galleries.
Galleries on the left Punta Begoña
Guided tour of the galleries of Punta Begoña, a visit that is worthwhile.
The city council of Getxo offers us to enjoy the history, beauty and views offered by the galleries of Punta Begoña through a guided tour (free so far). In this visit they will explain to us by means of several informative panels everything that surrounds the history of this so singular structure. Among all the information they show us, we highlight 4 points: the transformation of the coast of Getxo, the life of its owner Horacio Echevarrieta, the history of the galleries and the rehabilitation project of the same. Let’s break down each of these points:
Transformation of the coast of Getxo: The coast of Getxo, like many other geographical points, has suffered natural transformations derived from the construction of different structures by the human being. Maritime transport was very important at that time, since it was the means by which all the mineral obtained in the mines of Bizkaia was transported. For this reason, breakwaters and docks were created to facilitate the naval market, changes that influenced the sea currents. These currents transported the sand located in the neighborhood of Las Arenas to the beach of Ereaga, where they rest today.
Surroundings of Punta Begoña galleries
The coast of Getxo changed in part due to the tendency of doctors to prescribe salt water baths as a remedy for any ailment they felt like. These baths had to be taken for long periods of time, so upper class families began to build their own houses around the Basque coast. The promenade of the great villas of Getxo is a clear witness of this change.
Horacio Echevarrieta: Horacio Echevarrieta was the original owner of the Punta Begoña galleries. A man ahead of his time, a businessman who marked an era, a good person who cared for others, that is how many define this man. Horacio Echevarrieta Maruri was born in 1870 into a wealthy family. His father, Cosme, left him one of the largest fortunes in Bizkaia. As an example of his good work in the labor world we can mention that he was one of the promoters of Iberia airlines, that he urbanized the great road of Madrid, that he co-founded the Metropolitan Railway of Barcelona and that he bought the shipyards of Cadiz where years later the training ship “Juan Sebastian Elcano” or the submarine E-1 was built. The political situation of the country caused the decline of his empire, although he never stopped working until his death in 1963 at the age of 92.
Punta Begoña under reconstruction
History of the Punta Begoña galleries: The Punta Begoña galleries are part of the extension of the mansion that Horacio Echevarrieta owned on the coast of Getxo. Built by the architect R. Bastida in 1918, they formed together with the mansion, the usual residence of this business magnate. From the garden of the house by means of stairs one had access to the galleries of Punta Begoña where Horacio’s private office was located. Today, the land where Horacio Echevarrieta’s house once stood is occupied by the Punta Begoña development.
Interior of the galleries Punta Begoña
Rehabilitation project of the Punta Begoña galleries: A very ambitious project thanks to which we will be able to enjoy all the charms of the Punta Begoña galleries in the future. The state of conservation of the galleries is not as desired and it will not be easy to restore the elegance and elegance to the walls, columns, ceilings and floors that make up this historic structure. The studies that are being carried out will reveal the state of the cement, the paintings that were on the walls and an endless amount of data with which the galleries will be reconstructed in the future.
Visit Punta Begoña
A visit that we recommend you to make along with the coastal walk from Getxo to Armintza, the old port of Algorta, the promenade of the great villas, the Bizkaia bridge and the aquarium of Getxo.
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