Museo del Pescador
Museum of Basque fishing in the Torre de Ercilla, in the old port of Bermeo, with fishing gear, boats and objects from the sea.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Since 1948 the Museo del Pescador has occupied the Torre de Ercilla, a late 15th-century urban and commercial building that rises above the old port of Bermeo and was declared a Monumento Nacional (National Monument) in 1943. The tower was the seat of an illustrious merchant family, from which descended Fortún García de Ercilla and Alonso de Ercilla, author of “La Araucana”.
It is one of the few museums in the world devoted exclusively to fishermen: the fishermen's world, their life and their work, with the customs and guild organisations of Basque sailors, the boats, and the techniques of fishing and fish marketing over time. It also recalls the history of the Marina de Guerra Auxiliar de Euzkadi (Auxiliary Navy of Euzkadi), whose core was made up of Basque fishermen, and devotes a space to the history of the tower itself.
The Diputación Foral de Bizkaia reformed the roof and made better use of the spaces in 1985, and restored the façades between 1994 and 1995. Later the building was restored again to recover its original appearance, and the permanent exhibition was renewed with current museographic techniques.
Highlights
- Torre de Ercilla, Monumento Nacional since 1943
- Fishing gear, rigging and boats from prehistory to today
- Models and navigation instruments
- History of the Marina de Guerra Auxiliar de Euzkadi
- Free admission on Saturdays
Permanent exhibitions
- La pesca vasca: vida, oficio y técnicas – A tour through the world and work of Basque fishermen, with fishing gear and rigging, boats, models, navigation instruments and boatbuilding carpentry (carpintería de ribera).
- Marina de Guerra Auxiliar de Euzkadi – Space devoted to the history of this auxiliary fleet, whose core was made up of Basque fishermen.
- La Torre de Ercilla – Room on the history of the building, from the last period of the 15th century, and of the merchant family that lived in it.
- Founded
- 1948
- Operated by
- Diputación Foral de Bizkaia
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Large and single-parent families, companions of people with disabilities, students, pensioners, unemployed people, groups of more than 10 people, guides, teachers, journalists and pilgrims |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free admission for under-16s. |
| Seniors | €3Pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities; companions pay the reduced rate. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (11+ people) | €3 per personGroups of more than 10 people, at the reduced rate. |
| Families | €3Large and single-parent families: reduced admission. |
Free admission: Every Saturday, 18 May (International Museum Day) and during the Arrain Azoka.
Free admission also for people at risk of social exclusion, ICOM members and guides or teachers accompanying a group. To benefit from free admission or a discount, the corresponding accreditation must be presented.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 Diputación's website states that the museum has adapted access.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €3 · Large and single-parent families: reduced admission. |
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers family workshops.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Reception, sales point and library in the museum.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The Diputación's website mentions the hire of spaces, without further details.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups of more than 10 people with advance booking. The museum also organises temporary exhibitions, lectures and film screenings. |
