There are records of hundreds of hydraulic mills such as Igartza in the Basque Country from the end of the Middle Ages. Using the force of water, the wheels of these mills ground various types of cereals. The Igartza mill is of great historical importance, because it is located next to the junction of the two most important medieval roads.
The main activities of the Igartza mill were the grinding of cereal grains, the production of various types of flour and the making of bread, both for the local inhabitants and for the travellers who were passing through. It was built in the 17th century and was in operation until 1982. Nowadays, we can see that the building has four areas: the mill, the miller’s house, the canal and the water turbine system.
EL MOLINO
1431
First mention of the mill. Martin de Elustondo builds the canal
1431
1504
The mill of Igartza was an important mill since it had three pairs of grinding wheels
1570
Martin de Elustondo builds the oak canal
1570
1611
Martin de Abaria refurbishes the hydraulic infrastructure. He also carried out the work of stonemason in the canal
1890
The wooden wheel of the mill is changed for one of iron
1890
1911
System producing electrical energy
1970
Oven
1970
1996
The interior of the mill is investigated and its renovation begins
