Starting this November, the Nervión River will serve as a conduit between two of the most significant treasures of Basque heritage. The route, titled “Las dos caras de la Ría” (The two faces of the River), will offer a comprehensive experience that allows visitors to explore both monuments in a single day, sailing from one point to another to relive the industrial splendour, working-class spirit, and entrepreneurial drive of a crucial era for the economic development of Euskadi.
This initiative, promoted by Sestao Berri and the Fundación Punta Begoña Fundazioa as part of the Urban Architecture Festival TAC!, is launching as a pilot project with the firm aim of establishing itself as a key resource for social enjoyment and industrial and cultural tourism by 2027. During this initial phase in 2026, the activity will be free of charge, providing a unique opportunity to experience the route before its permanent implementation.
Upcoming trips
The first trip will take place on Saturday, 14 November, from Getxo to Sestao. The day will begin at 10:00 with a guided visit to the Galerías Punta Begoña. At 11:30, participants will board a boat at the Getxo Marina for a transfer to the Benedicta, continuing at 12:15 with a tour of the Alto Horno, and concluding at 14:00 with an introduction to the first group of visitors as part of the pilot project.
The second trip is scheduled for Saturday, 12 December, in the reverse direction from Sestao to Getxo, maintaining the same duration and structured format of consecutive visits. This journey will also start at 10:00 at the Alto Horno de Sestao and conclude at 14:00 at the Galerías Punta Begoña.
Shared philosophy
Beyond their geographical proximity and recognised heritage value, both monuments share a common philosophy for their revival and social recovery under the “Abierto por Obras” (Open for Works) model. This approach allows the public to witness the rehabilitation of the monument as a pedagogical, museological, cultural, and socially enjoyable space. The two projects are now united through a journey that traverses places that have shaped the identity of the region, echoing the metal and working-class memory of the colossal Alto Horno de Sestao and the legacy of one of history's most visionary entrepreneurs, Horacio Echevarrieta, embodied in Punta Begoña, which he described as “something I would never part with.”
Registration and information
Spaces for the initial sessions are limited. Those wishing to participate or obtain further details can register via the website www.puntabegonagetxo.eus.
