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Getaria has traditionally been a village of fishermen and great sailors such as Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the world.
For hundreds of years whaling was of great importance to the town’s economy. In fact, the whale has historically been the main motive for its coat-of-arms.
Here you cannot miss a visit to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, where you will be introduced to the work of the genius, its relevance in the history of fashion and design. You will also find highly attractive its natural environment made up of rural neighbourhoods. One of the things that will surprise you the most about the place is to be able to observe the spectacular eroded slopes that constitute the geological phenomenon known as flysch. And that it has been recently designated as a UNESCO World Geopark.
Getaria is a walled medieval town sitting on a hillside. The silhouette of Mount San Antón, better known as "the Mouse of Getaria", draws special attention and comes out into the sea. Located in the Urola Kosta region, in the historical territory of Gipuzkoa, the town famous as it is the birthplace of a sailor and a couturier.
Monument to Elkano
As soon as we get to Getaria, we will find a monument honouring Juan Sebastián Elkano, appointed illustrious son of the town. The sculpture displays elements of the Art Deco style, which was in vogue during the period in which it was built. It sits on an old bastion of the wall of Getaria, which serves as its base. The monument is crowned with a Winged Victory of Samothrace, in the style of the figureheads which adorned the prow of the vessels. It should be mentioned that there are two statues of Elkano in town.
Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa
The figure of Cristóbal Balenciaga is present in town where he was born in 1895. His birthplace now pays homage to him with this unique Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum which houses one of the world’s most important fashion collections.
A fishing port full of charm
Getaria is for sure the port with most flavour in Gipuzkoa. Its fishing fleet and modern facilities make it possible the treatment of the recently caught fish. The port has many canning industries, restaurants and steakhouses. Grilled fish of the Bay of Biscay is the town's speciality and it should be accompanied by Getaria's "txakoli" (local white wine with appellation of origin).
Elkano's landings
The traditional festivities are held in early August and consecrated to San Salvador. Anyway, every four years on August the 7th Getaria stages Elkano's landings. The seafarer reached Sanlúcar de Barrameda on September 6th of 1522 along with 17 crewmembers (265 in all), after going around the world for three years.
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