16th century: The Iron Economy

Iron making had been the main industrial activity in the Atlantic Basque Country since the Middle Ages, especially in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. They had first-class raw material, abundant woodland to make  charcoal and fast-moving rivers to drive the bellows and machinery. They also had direct access to the sea, which helped with exports. Once the foundries had produced mental ingots, the workshops in the villas produced every type of implement. It is estimated that between 20 and 40% of the population lived off, directly or indirectly, the iron industry.