Green Spain can be enjoyed and discovered. We present four museums that form the backbone of our route and will reveal unique aspects of Northern Spain. How is it possible to combine Basque berets, Cantabrian prehistoric caves, Asturian dinosaurs, and the beautiful Galician lace art? Stay tuned…
La Encartada Fabrika Museoa in Balmaseda, BiSCAY (basque country)
Three fun facts about Basque berets
Did you know that if you look for a photo from the early 20th century showing any street or landscape in Euskadi, almost every man in the image will likely be wearing a beret, also called ‘txapela’ in Basque?
Did you know that the txapela was not just a simple accessory but a true symbol of Basque identity? For example, decades ago, it was possible to recognize which territory of Euskadi someone came from based on the size of their beret and how they tilted it.
Did you know that the txapela is a common trophy in Basque sports competitions and that, because of this, the Basque word for ‘champion’ is ‘txapelduna’ (meaning “the one who wears a beret”)?
A unique museum in Euskadi (basque country)
In a corner of Biscay, in the Encartaciones region, five indianos founded a large textile factory in 1892. They had it built next to the river Cadagua to take advantage of its water power, barely two kilometres from the monumental town of Balmaseda. TThe factory was in operation for 100 years, until 1992, when it closed its doors, to be converted shortly afterwards into a museum, La Encartada Fabrika Museoa.
The attraction of this factory-museum lies not only in what it exhibits, but also in what it is: a large 19th century industrial complex that has remained practically intact to the present day, with centuries-old machinery that still works, with the original driving system of pulleys and belts, with samples of its vast textile production and with the buildings of the workers’ colony. All this is complemented by the attractive musealisation, which allows visitors to travel back in time to the industrial past of the Basque Country.
National Museum and Research Center of Altamira, in Santillana del Mar (Cantabria)
Three fun facts about the Altamira Cave
Did you know that in 1879, botanist Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola entered a cave near Santillana del Mar with his daughter María, and the young girl discovered some figures sketched on the ceiling? She exclaimed, “Father! There are painted oxen!” but they weren’t oxen—they were bison, and the discovery revolutionized human history.
Did you know that the discovery of the Altamira Cave was so significant that no one believed these paintings were created by our ancestors thousands of years ago? It took 25 years for the international scientific community to recognize in 1903 that the bison of Altamira were indeed authentic.
Did you know that the Altamira Cave became so popular in the 20th century that it had to be closed to preserve the original paintings? In 2001, an exact replica was created to allow future generations to experience Altamira.
An essential museum in Cantabria
If the Altamira Cave is a global reference in prehistoric art, its museum and the visit experience to the Neocave created in 2001 is one of the top cultural activities to enjoy in Spain.
The Neocave is an exact reproduction (of everything—the stones, folds, cracks, colors, and most representative iconography) of the original cave. It has even been used as a movie set, such as for the 2016 film starring Antonio Banderas.
The National Museum and Research Center of Altamira features a permanent exhibition titled ‘The Times of Altamira.’ It provides a panoramic and detailed view of the daily life, natural environment, artistic expressions, and technological evolution of the prehistoric communities that lived in this region.
Jurassic Museum of Asturias in Colunga (Asturias)
Three fun facts about dinosaurs in Asturias
Did you know that over 150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed a region that today is on the coast of Asturias, and their footprints have remained intact to this day?
Did you know that on La Griega Beach, just two kilometers from the town of Colunga, you can find the second-largest Jurassic footprint ever discovered?
Did you know that the eastern coast of Asturias has so many dinosaur footprints that, in addition to idyllic beaches, cliffs, and charming fishing villages, there’s a route that lets you follow the tracks of the sauropods?
A unique museum in Asturias
It’s no surprise that atop a hill, halfway between Colunga and La Griega Beach, there’s the Muja, the Jurassic Museum of Asturias, a space deeply dedicated to this fascinating era. The museum experience begins even before entering the building, on the privileged plateau where it is located, surrounded by forests and the sea, with dinosaur replicas roaming as if it were an ordinary day millions of years ago.
The spectacle continues inside the Muja. Its exterior resembles a dinosaur footprint, while its interior, made of Scandinavian wood, mimics the ribs of one of these reptiles. The museum unveils the secrets of these creatures in an engaging and spectacular way (for example, with a pair of Tyrannosaurus Rex in a loving pose) and their relationship with Asturias. Don’t miss the comprehensive fossil collection.
Museo do Encaixe in Camariñas, A Coruña (Galicia)
Three fun facts about Galician lace art
Did you know that the only Spanish merchandise aboard the ill-fated Titanic (which sank in April 1912) was a box filled with lace pieces handcrafted by a ‘palilleira’ (lace maker) from the Camariñas area?
Did you know that the lace crafted in this corner of the Costa da Morte became so internationally famous that most of its entirely handmade production was exported to wealthy homes in countries like Argentina, the United States (where the Titanic was headed), and Cuba?
Did you know that the Galician region of Camariñas produced 90% of Galicia’s lace? This intricate art, using thread, bobbins, and great skill (passed down from mothers to daughters in what was primarily a female industry), created true textile treasures.
A unique museum in Galicia
It’s no surprise that Camariñas has hosted the Museo do Encaixe since 1996, preserving and documenting the ethnographic heritage associated with this craft. For decades, the life of Camariñas revolved around this traditional craft. The museum showcases dozens of pieces created in the area (some over 200 years old), explains the unique characteristics of Costa da Morte lace, and recovers the names and photographs of the women who spent hours, days, and years skillfully handling bobbins (as any YouTube video demonstrates).
During Easter, the interesting Mostra do Encaixe de Palillos takes place, combining a commercial fair with an anthropological celebration. It’s a unique opportunity to see the ‘palilleiras’ in action and enjoy a typically Galician festive atmosphere.
