The San Juan galleon replica is being built using traditional techniques verified by UNESCO as a model for underwater cultural heritage.
The original San Juan vessel was found in 1978 in the icy waters of Canada by Parks Canada researchers.
The shipwrights use oak harvested from local Basque forests to ensure the timber matches the quality of the original 16th-century ship.
The shipyard floor is built on a former industrial site that once produced motors, now repurposed to honor wooden naval architecture.
The facility functions as a school for traditional maritime crafts, training international students in historical carpentry.
The construction of the San Juan is a multi-decade project intended to demonstrate the sophistication of Basque Renaissance naval engineering.
Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria is an active maritime museum in Pasaia dedicated to the historical reconstruction of Basque whaling vessels. The centerpiece of the facility is the construction of a full-scale replica of the San Juan, a 16th-century Basque galleon that sank in Red Bay, Labrador, in 1565. Visitors observe traditional 16th-century shipbuilding techniques performed by shipwrights using authentic materials and hand tools. The museum occupies a repurposed shipyard, retaining an industrial atmosphere while showcasing maritime heritage. It serves as a living laboratory where archaeological findings from the San Juan wreck are translated into physical boat-building projects. The site is located on the edge of the Pasaia bay, a natural harbor essential to Basque seafaring history.
The mezzanine walkway offers a panoramic view of the entire shipyard and the massive hull of the San Juan under construction.
Walk the coastal path from the Pasaia Donibane side to enjoy the best views of the harbor before crossing by boat.
Check the daily schedule for guided tour times in your language to fully understand the intricate woodwork being performed.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes as the shipyard floor can be uneven with wood shavings.
Do not rush your visit; the appeal is in observing the slow, deliberate pace of traditional hand-tool woodworking.
Closed on Mondays throughout the winter season.
Maintain a safe distance from active woodworking tools and follow all safety signs near heavy timber pieces.
