Abra, Getxo’s sea
Algorta Old Port was initially just a small place whose population was devoted to activities associated with the sea. It was excluded from direct trade because this was prohibited under the charters of the towns of Portugalete and Bilbao, so professional activity was a blend of coastal fishing in small vessels and piloting, i.e., helping vessel going to and from Bilbao enter and leave the estuary and the Abra, always under the supervision of the consulship.
The physical and legal limitations effectively impeded the seafaring activities at Algorta port from developing further, but this situation was overcome by the capacity for initiative of the experienced local sailors, which represented a never-ending source of crew members and officers for all kinds of ships, as well as for training expert shipwreck rescue teams.
Algorta’s strategic geographical location, dominating the entrance to the Abra bay and with the best vantage points for controlling sailing in the area meant that the opening was facing northwest, something strange on our coasts. Perhaps to make up for this and also forced by the rugged terrain, houses in the Old Port are crammed together, built in minimal spaces, so much so that they often give the impression they are built one on top of another. Why don’t you come and see for yourself…