The Iturraran Parketxe in Aia will offer guided tours throughout the summer, and also in September, to discover the Agorregi forge and mills. These tours, aimed at the general public, explain the history of the mill and forge, the use of water, and their evolution. They will demonstrate the machinery in operation, allowing visitors to see how an iron bar is heated and hammered, and how charcoal is added to the furnaces to intensify the fire.
Aran Aldai, one of the facilitators from the Arreta Pagoeta group, explains that these visits are very attractive to people of all ages, due to the noise of the machinery in action, the grandeur of the bellows, and the sparks. While many tourists visit during the summer, local residents and people from surrounding areas also participate in the tours.
The tours are conducted in Basque and Spanish, and although free, prior registration is required. In Agorregi, in addition to the forge and mills, visitors can also observe the local flora, streams, and waterfalls.
The Iturraran Parketxe began offering guided tours in Agorregi in 1996 with the aim of showcasing "our heritage, culture, and landscape." Staff emphasize the importance of understanding the past to comprehend our present life, and that Basque industry can be understood through its forges.
This type of industry was highly significant in the Basque Country; in the 16th century, approximately 6% to 12% of the iron produced in Europe originated between Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. However, over time, its importance declined due to the depletion of raw materials, increased labor costs, and the advent of steam power and mineral coal. Consequently, the machinery created between the 15th and 16th centuries ceased production.
Aran Aldai encourages all Basques and visitors to take these tours, even if they have scheduling conflicts, highlighting the beauty of the surroundings, the impressive sight of the machinery in operation, and the opportunity to learn about their history.
