Getaria, Gipuzkoa

Getaria (Basque, Spanish Guetaria ) is a port city in the province of Gipuzkoa (Spanish Guipúzcoa) in the Spanish Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. It is located about 20 km west of San Sebastian on the Bay of Biscay.

The first mention is the area around Getaria by maps of the Greeks and Romans. Getaria was founded in 1209 by King Alfonso VIII of Castile. 1397 Brotherhood of Gipuzkoa in the church of San Salvador was founded in Getaria.

Noteworthy are the parish church from the 12th century and a monument to commemorate the completion of the first circumnavigation by Juan Sebastian de Elcano. In the base of the monument the names of the sailors involved are engraved. A Hans from Aachen is called.

The port is protected by a conspicuous peninsula which terminates in a high rock. From this port the Basques journeyed to Newfoundland, Greenland and Iceland in the 14th century for fishing and whaling.

In and around Getaria produce 17 wineries to about 170 ha 10.000 hl txakolí, characteristic wine of the Basque coast.

1895 was born in Getaria of fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. A museum to his glory was opened in Getaria on 7 June 2011 by the Spanish queen.