Ferrería de El Pobal
Living museum of iron-making and milling in Muskiz, with a water-powered ironworks and mill that are set in motion during the guided visit.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ferrería de El Pobal is a water-powered ironworks located in the mining area of Bizkaia, on the banks of the Barbadún river, where iron ore was worked into metal to make tools such as ploughshares, hammers, hoes and pickaxes, as well as household utensils. It was built at the start of the 16th century by the Salazar family, a banderizo lineage that dominated the district from the castle of Muñatones.
Its heyday came at the end of the 17th century, when the workshop was enlarged and the weir, the channel, the forebay and the hydraulic tunnel were rebuilt. Much of what can be seen today, such as the forge, the charcoal stores, the stone bellows, the hammer and the anvil, dates from the late 19th century and reflects the reforms carried out by the last ironmasters to stay competitive. The ironworks operated until 1965.
Around the ironworks was a productive complex made up of the ironmasters' house, which originally looked like a tower house, the mill with two pairs of millstones for grinding wheat and maize, the bread oven, the vegetable gardens and the woodland that supplied charcoal and timber. Open to the public since 2004, El Pobal is a living museum of two of the most important pre-industrial activities in Bizkaia: iron-making and milling. During the visit both water-powered machines can be seen in operation.
Highlights
- 16th-century water-powered ironworks with forge, hammer and stone bellows
- Mill with two pairs of millstones for wheat and maize
- Weir, channel, forebay and hydraulic tunnel
- Guided visit with demonstration on Saturday mornings
- Ironmasters' manor house and bread oven
Permanent exhibition
- Ferrería y molino – Guided route through the ironworks, the ironmasters' house and the mill, with the water-powered machines set in motion.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Diputación Foral de Bizkaia
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Students, retirees and unemployed people, guides, large and single-parent families, teachers, journalists and groups of more than 10 adults |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 16 · Free admission up to age 16. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Groups (11+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 10 adults. School and leisure groups: €1 per pupil (guided visit) or €2 (guided visit with an educational workshop). |
| Guided visit with demonstration (Saturday mornings) | €6Reduced rate: €4. |
| Ferrería de El Pobal and Muñatones castle (combined visit) | €6Reduced rate: €4; school groups: €2 per person. |
Free admission: Fridays (museum day), International Museum Day and the local holiday.
Free admission, with accreditation, for people with disabilities, teachers and practising guides, accredited press, and holders of the Nagusi Txartela or ICOM card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum's website states that the site is accessible for people with mobility problems.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The museum is on the Muskiz–Sopuerta road, in the El Pobal district, and has a car park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop and car park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | All visits are guided, and advance booking is essential (629 271 516 or elpobal@bizkaia.eus). School groups have educational guides and workshops (bread-making or talo-making, and an ironworking workshop) as well as the Barbadún ironworks route. |
