Bermeo

The provincial capital of Biscay from 1476 to 1602. Tourist attractions include the island of Gaztelugatxe, the Ercilla Tower (a fishing museum), San Juan Gate and the port. Connected by Euskotren Trena and BizkaiBus to Bilbao. It has a number of neighbourhoods: Arana, Artike, Agirre, San Andres, Almike, Arronategi, San Migel, Demiku, Mañu and San Pelaio.

• Name — Bermeo • Translit Lang1 Type — Basque • Translit Lang1 Info — Bermeo • Settlement Type — Municipality • Mapsize — 300px • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Type1 — Autonomous community • Subdivision Name1 — Basque Country • Subdivision Type2 — Province • Subdivision Name2 — Biscay • Subdivision Type3 — Comarca • Subdivision Name3 — Busturialdea • Established Title — Founded • Established Date — 1236 • Leader Party — EH Bildu • Leader Title — Mayor • Leader Name — Nadia Nemeh Shomaly • Area Total Km2 — 34.12 • Elevation Footnotes — (AMSL) • Elevation M — 11 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Population Demonym — bermeotar • Blank Name Sec1 — Official language(s) • Blank Info Sec1 — Basque, Spanish • Timezone1 — CET • Utc Offset1 — +1 • Timezone1 Dst — CEST • Utc Offset1 Dst — +2 • Postal Code Type — Postal code • Postal Code — 48370 • Area Code — +34 (Spain)

Bermeo's history dates back to the monastery of San Juan of Gaztelugatxe in 1051. In 1082, it is mentioned by Don Lope lñiguez as "Sancti Michaelis Arcangeli in Portu of Vermelio". Ferdinand II of Aragon named the town the capital of Biscay on 31 July 1476, a position it held until 1602. Many documents have been destroyed by fire; notable fires occurred in 1297, 1347, 1360, 1422 and 1504. The founding of Bilbao in 1300 also coincided with decline in Bermeo.

The town has an oceanic climate, with heavy rains in spring and late fall. The average annual minimum temperature is about 9 °C (48 °F), and the maximum is about 19 °C (66 °F). The record maximum temperature is 45 °C (113 °F), and the record minimum is −9 °C (16 °F). • Illustration — Izaro Island and Cape Ogoño

As a result of increased immigration due to industrialisation during the 1960s, the population grew rapidly. Although it began to decline during the 1990s, the population has increased again since 2000.

• Illustration — Itzulera by Casto Solano Bermeo's economy is based on fishing, and its port is the town's chief source of revenue. It has a fleet of deep-sea vessels, and Bermeo's coastal fisheries are among the region's most important. In addition to fishing, diesel engines and generators are manufactured and the commercial port receives raw materials. Bermeo also has connections with the timber and undersea-gas industries.

Bermeo is connected by road to Mungia (18 km away) by the BI-631 road and to Gernika-Lumo (14 km away) by the BI-2235. The BI-3101 connects the town with Bakio, 12 km away. The capital, Bilbao (33 km away), is reached by the BI-631 and the BI-2235. BizkaiBus connects Bermeo with Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Bilbao, Derio and Bakio. Euskotren Trena connects the town directly with Bilbao, Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Biscay and Gipuzkoa. Bermeo also has taxi and Bermibusa (urban bus) service.

• Illustration — San Juan de Gaztelugatxe On the road to Bakio is the lighthouse of Matxitxako, on the cape of the same name. Further along is Akatz Island, next to Gaztelugatxe (an island with the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe monastery). During the 14th century a castle topped the island, which was replaced by the monastery. On 29 August a mass celebrates the feast of San Juan. The island is a protected area. • Illustration — Akatz Island Akatz Island, a small island next to Gaztelugatxe, has little vegetation but a significant nesting-bird population. On its cape is the Matxitxako lighthouse, which has good views of the coast and from which cetaceans may be seen. Izaro Island is part of the Urdaibai Reserve. Bermeo's old town has many houses painted in different colours and narrow streets with squares. Aritzatxu is a small beach. Ercilla Tower is the only remaining tower of 30 towers which defended Bermeo during the Middle Ages. In the old port, it was built at the end of the 15th century and housed the Ercilla family (including Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga, author of The Araucana). In addition to its military use, it housed fishermen and warehoused fish. It was renovated in 1948 with Gothic arches as the Fisherman's Museum; additional renovation was done in 1984 and 1985. • Illustration — Kikunbera house Bermeo's town hall, in Sabino Arana Goiri Square, was built in 1732. With two clocks on its facade, it is one of the town's Artistic Historical Monuments. The Kikunbera house, in Basque Rationalist style, was designed to resemble a ship and has been an Artistic Historical Monument since 1995. Batzoki is a modernist building by Pedro Ispizua.

• Illustration — Old port • Illustration — Marina • Illustration — San Juan de Gaztelugatxe • Illustration — Santa María Church • Illustration — Aita Guria whaleboat • Illustration — San Juan Gate • Illustration — Aritzatxu Beach • Illustration — Ercilla Tower • Illustration — Aerial view • Illustration — A panoramical view of Gaztelugatxe