The historical Ercilla Tower stands overlooking the old harbour of Bermeo. It was declared a national monument in 1943, and since 1948 has housed the Fishing Museum.
It is one of the few museums in the world devoted exclusively to the life and work of Basque fisherfolk, describing their life and customs, their guild organisations, their boats and ships and the techniques they have used over the centuries for catching and selling fish. It also tells the story of the Auxiliary Navy of Euzkadi, the central core of which was made up of Basque fishermen.
There is also a section dealing with the history of the tower itself, a late fifteenth century building, urban and commercial, and home to a family of illustrious traders which included Fortún García de Ercilla and Alonso de Ercilla, author of the Araucana.
In 1985, the Provincial Government of Bizkaia carried out renovation work on the roof and reorganised the internal areas and the facades of the tower were restored between 1994 and 1995. Further work has been carried out more recently to restore the original appearance of the building and the permanent exhibition has been remodelled in line with the most modern exhibition techniques.
Director: Aingeru Astui
Address: Torre de Ercilla. Torronteroko enparantza. 48370. BERMEO
Telephone: 946 88 11 71
E-mail:arrantzaleenmuseoa@bizkaia.eus
Website: www.bizkaikoa.bizkaia.eus/arrantzaleenmuseoa
WINTER SCHEDULE (December-March)
From Tuesday to Saturday: 10: 00h-16: 00h
Sundays: 10: 30h-14: 30h
Mondays closed
Guided tours (by prior appointment). Tuesday - Friday
Workshops for families
Lectures and screenings
Temporary exhibitions
Reception
Gift shop
Library
Adapted access
Rooms for hire for functions
General: €3
Reduced: € 2. (under-26s, over-60s, people with disabilities, unemployed, OAPs, large families and groups of more than 10 people)
Free: children up to 12 years, duly accredited teaching staff, guides and journalists, Museum Day: Saturday, International Museum Day (18 May), local fiestas, anniversary of the ‘Great Gale’ of 1912, Arrainazoka (Fish Fair), Basque Coast Museums Day, holders of OAP and ICOM cards.
School groups: €1 per pupil
Groups for guided tour (prior appointment): More than 10 people €1.50 per person, plus €10