Getxo is a town located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in Spain. It is part of Greater Bilbao, and has 77,946 inhabitants (2019). Getxo is mostly an affluent residential area, as well as being the third largest municipality of Biscay.
Historic monuments
Andra Mari Church
This romanesque church built in the 12th century took in the first inhabitants. This church suffered diverse reformations and the church that nowadays we can admire is mostly from the 17th century based on the Baroque period. Inside the church is a sculpture of the Virgin and her son.
Aixerrota Windmill
This monument is the only antique windmill that nowadays still stands. The construction of the windmill was undertaken between 1726 and 1727 due to a huge drought and was focused on corn and feed production. The windmill, ones in lack of use, was set up as a home during all the 19th century. The name of Aixerrota comes from basque Aixe “wind” and errota “mill”.[5] The construction of this windmill was motivated due to the drought that was originated in Biscay at the beginning of the 18th century. It produces two types of flour: fine and ordinary. The first historic date make reference to the windmill property is in 1725. This land belongs to the small village Subyaga-Etxebarria. Nowadays belongs to a catering company and has been completely restored. Also, has a restaurant and an art gallery.
Prince’s castle or La Galea Fort
This military building was constructed in the 18th century to protect the commercial traffic in Bilbao. Situated in a strategic place, this fort is located along the bay. “Galea” derives from the French word gale which means “cliff”. This fort also was named “Prince´s Castle”; it is an interesting example of fortification, being a unique model of military construction in Biscay. The situation in which it is located in the past was privileged, thanks to the cliff, people could guard enemy fleets and could see the fleets that approached. In 1740, the council ordered Jaime Sycre to create the fort as a measurement to reinforce the coast. The historic datum holds that this fort was never attacked. When the military fort was abandoned, lighthouse construction started in 1782. Nowadays the fort is a municipal property.
Saint Anne’s Chapel (Santa Ana)
In Las Arenas there are a number of buildings of the neogothic style in Biscay.[citation needed] By order of the Agirre family the chapel was built by Modesto de Echániz y Zavalla in 1864. Maximo Aguirre was a well-known business man that obtained lands in Las Arenas. Nowadays this chapel, is one of the best examples of neogotic in Biscay.[9] It is located in an urban area, surrounded of little green spaces and in a peaceful place. In the construction of the chapel bishop demanded build a bell. The chapel is rectangular. Since 1864 to 1876 was the unique worship place in Las Arenas and nowadays belongs to Maximo Aguirre’s family. Concretely it belongs to MS. Carmen Jauregui. Nowadays is not usually open and this chapel is used for weddings.
Vizcaya Bridge o El puente colgante
Located in Las Arenas it is the oldest bridge of its kind and it was designed by the architect Alberto Palacios y Elissague. It was built in 1893 with the purpose of communicating both sides of the river and the municipalities of Getxo and Portugalete. It was made with the iron extracted from the mountains in the area and it is one of the main monuments from the industrial revolution, it is the main symbol of the region.
