Rialia, Museum of Industry of Bizkaia

Discover the industrial history of Bizkaia touring the 4 floors that make up the Museum of Industry Rialia.

This museum located on the banks of the Bilbao estuary shows us the industrial development that Bizkaia underwent from the late nineteenth century. An industrialization that placed Bizkaia as the most important iron and steel center of the entire peninsula and part of Europe.

The 14 or 15 kilometers he mentions was the industrial core of that great Bilbao that he had the opportunity to contemplate, more than 300,000 people working in unison around the Bilbao estuary. The iron of our land running through the veins of thousands of Biscayans.

Entrance to the museum of industry, Rialia

The industrial museum RIALIA has in its interior a collection made up by the historical-artistic funds of the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (SEPI) and pieces from the Rialia collection, a collection which the Portugalete Town Council has been acquiring with the passing of time. Among SEPI’s historical-artistic funds there are very important pieces from AHV (Altos Hornos de Vizcaya), one of the most important factories of all the industrialization in the Basque Country.

The Rialia Museum does not have a large number of elements in its collection, but the elements present throughout its 3 permanent floors are pieces of great historical and patrimonial value. This museum is a link between all the museums that can be found in Bizkaia related to the industry, for example:

El Pobal Ironworks.

El Pobal Ironworks

The mining museum of the Basque Country.

Basque Country mining museum locomotive

The Ria de Bilbao Maritime Museum.

Transformation of the Bilbao estuary, Ria de Bilbao Maritime Museum

The Bizkaia Bridge.

Suspension bridge seen from the sea

*Every Monday of the year the museum is closed except April 6, October 12 and December 7.

*As days of special character the museum will be closed on January 1 and 6, May 1, July 1, August 15 and 16 and December 25.

*On December 24 and 31, the museum will be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, an unusual schedule due to the Christmas season.

Price: The price-quality ratio of the entrance fee to the Museum of the Rialia industry is very good, keep in mind that the price is almost symbolic, since it varies between 0 € and 2 € depending on the visitor’s profile:

• General admission: 2€.
• Pensioners, children under 14 and school groups: Free admission.
• Groups of all types, people with disabilities and students from 14 to 26 years old: 1€.

Very good value for the ticket.

Building: Inaugurated on January 31, 2006, the building that houses the museum is one of the most emblematic buildings of the municipality. This building not only houses the museum, under the floor of the museum, a few centimeters from the estuary, are the facilities of the local rowing club, a sport that represents the past of the Basque people.

Museum of Industry, Rialia

Permanent collection: The Rialia Industry Museum, takes as the axis of its permanent exhibition, the estuary, society and iron, 3 elements that were decisive in the industrial revolution that took place at the end of the 19th century in Bizkaia. The 3 floors occupied by the permanent collection are broken down according to their subject matter, thus, we find the following divisions:

-The estuary, landscape of innovation: The Bizkaia Bridge is one of the greatest works of industrialization and innovation. A contribution to society that transformed the way of life on both banks of the estuary thanks to technical advances, the Biscayan steel industry and the entrepreneurial character of its creator Alberto Palacio.

Objects from the Bizkaia Bridge at the Museum of Industry, Rialia

-Landscapes: The landscape around the estuary of Bilbao changed drastically, large infrastructures grew on its banks, La Naval, Euskalduna, SEC Babcock & Wilcox, Santa Ana de Bolueta and Altos Hornos de Vizcaya worked the iron of our mountains, while our villages yielded to the new industrial needs changing its structure to serve society.

Audiovisual of the Rialia Industry Museum’s Iron Estuary

-Industrial art: Once again influenced by the trends in England and the innovative and enterprising character of the people of Bizkaia, high quality art collections were created around industry. Art became a reflection of society, uniting industry and people in the same medium. Art also reflected the social and labor tensions that were experienced, the famous workers’ movement was being born. All these works are present in the Museum of the Rialia industry, together with the sculptures donated by Agustín Ibarrola, one of the most prestigious artists of the Basque Country.

Sculpture by Agustín Ibarrola at the museum of industry, Rialia

Temporary collection: The Museum usually has temporary exhibitions related to the theme of the museum on the 4th floor. The temporary exhibition has audiovisual material that allows us to discover more detail if possible the guest collections from other museums, institutions or individuals.

Temporary collection of the museum of industry, Rialia

Location: Located on the banks of the Bilbao estuary, in the municipality of Portugalete, the Rialia Industry Museum allows us to enjoy other Biscayan municipalities worthy of admiration, clear examples of which are Santurtzi and Getxo. We must take into account that the museum rises in one of the most important ports of the industrialization, since Portugalete shared during 7 centuries with Bilbao the monopoly of the port activity, between the ports of Portugalete and Bilbao all the creations of the Biscayan iron and steel industry were given exit.

Accreditations: From TurismoVasco.com we believe that the Rialia Industry Museum, contributes to keep alive the industrial history of Bizkaia and the way in which that great revolution was lived, that is why it has our exclusive tourist accreditation “Turismo Vasco Tiketa”.

Accreditation TurismoVasco Tiketa at the Museum of Industry, Rialia

Views: The museum and its 4 floors allow us to enjoy the splendid panoramic views that the 4th floor of this unique building offers us. The Hanging Bridge, Getxo, Portugalete, the course of the estuary and the boats enliven our gaze. Do you want to check it out? Come by the museum and enjoy!

Views from the Rialia Industry Museum

We recommend a visit accompanied by one of the museum guides, they will bring us up to date on the industrial history of Bizkaia with great passion and detail. The Rialia Museum of Industry is a perfect complement to all the museums we refer to. A perfect route to understand the industrial history of all Bizkaia, do you dare to know our history?