La Encartada is a 19th-century textile factory dedicated to the production of wool knitted fabrics that has preserved its historic appearance and technological equipment.
The old buildings, the most advanced machinery of its time, and the workers' colony are now part of an industrial museum that transports us back to the era of its creation. All the original transmission systems, such as pulleys and belts , are still in operation, as are the period decorations in the rooms.
Founded in 1892 by a local businessman, the factory's industrial complex has remained almost intact to this day. La Encartada is located in a picturesque location, less than two kilometers from the historic center of Balmaseda , next to the Kadagua River , whose waters powered the factory's machinery for a century.
The Encartada Factory Museum guides us through the early stages of industrialization in the Basque Country and the production process of one of our most recognizable garments: the txapela , among other knitted fabrics.