Art & Culture
Museums
La Encartada Fabrika Museoa is located on the outskirts of Balmaseda, on the shore of Cadagua river.
The site intends to spread the valuable industrial legacy of the textile factory. A plant involved in the production of woollen knitwear -berets mainly- since its foundation back in 1892 to its closure in 1992. With the double aim of preserving the historic textile heritage and create a leisure and tourism centre the regional council of Bizkaia and Balmaseda Town Council took on the responsibility for recovering the factory for museum ends.
The site consists of several buildings: the factory-museum, the houses to accommodate workers, a chapel that served as a school, and so on. With the opening of the first two floors of the restored factory-museum the project's main stage will be concluded: the coffee bar and the leisure area. In a second stage the museum will focus on implementing improvement works on old houses as well as the chapel.
The architectural richness adds to a machinery complex of great value: a water turbine from the beginning of the 20th century, a complex mechanism of belts and pulleys that activates the production mechanisms. Guided tours show other areas such as the former wool drying shed, spinning section, areas for beret production and section of cloths.
Winter (from 1 November to 30 April):
From Tuesday to Sunday: from 10:00 to 14:00.
Monday: Closed.
Summer (from 1 May to 31 October, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week): from Tuesday to Saturday:10:00 - 14:00 / 16:00 - 19:00.
Holidays: 10:00 - 14:00.
Monday: Closed.
Closed: 1 and 6 January and 25 December.
