Port of Mutriku

Bordering Vizcaya, Mutriku is one of the longest-standing ports along the Gipuzkoan coast. It is built within a spectacular natural bay that extends between the cliffs of Alcolea and the heights of Burumendi, being protected against the storms and swells that come in from the north. This is the reason why Mutriku was once the safe harbour in the area.

The port has had a strong influence on Mutriku’s history. The sea and fishing have been the basis of the municipality’s economic life since its founding, also a key aspect in the creation and development of other value added economic activities associated with the ocean, such as the canning industry - still an important element of the local economy - and boat building. The first documentary references linking Mutriku with fishing are gathered in a document dating back to the year 1200. It is a letter signed by the King of Castile, Alfonso VIII, in which the monarch donated to the Order of Knights of Santiago a whale for the village of Mutriku every year. Also, the creation of the first port of Mutriku dates back to the 13th century. In fact, it was a completely innovative construction for its time, due to the laying down of two oval-shaped stone breakwaters giving the port its characteristic design. So much so that it was known as “the Seashell of Mutriku”.
 
In 1877, the original port underwent a total redesign, inspired by a project of the renowned engineer Evaristo Churruca acquiring its current structure. However, the strong sea currents have often damaged this structure and has hampered the entry and exit of seagoing vessels. For this reason, in 1932, the engineer Ramón Iribarren provided a partial solution to these issues by applying a series of techniques that were very innovative at the time.  After a series of initial studies on the swell inside the harbour, he developed a set of techniques capable of diverting the ocean currents to less damaging areas. Based on these studies, the Basque engineer published a Method of calculating swell plans which is still a work of reference in the field of engineering.

 

In 2001, a new modernisation project was proposed for the port.  At first, a plan was presented for the creation of a marina; a commercial and fishing port, with the creation of a new breakwater specifically designed to include these activities; and a jetty for mooring vessels. However, this plan was not implemented. The refurbishing has been limited to the construction of a large protective breakwater. In order to take advantage of this new construction, the Basque Government and the Basque Energy Agency signed a collaboration agreement to implement a breakwater wave plant due to the strength of the ocean waves. The plant opened in 2011 and was the first plant of its kind in the world, which has 16 turbines that can generate 970MWh of power per year.