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| Town history |
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Castro Urdiales is rich in Spanish culture and historical beginnings. This is evident in the ancient caves and conserved Paleolithic art that were discovered in numerous mountains of the town. Historical references cited the town of Castro Urdiales as far back as 1102, in a document regarding the villas of the Bishop towns. In 1163, King Alfonso granted the humble municipality the freedom and liberty that they may acquire monetary benefits and stability in the commercial and economic progress of their very own town. This decree is known as the Law of Logroño. King Alfonso was a frequent visitor of Castro Urdiales. He oversaw the construction of the Church of Santa Maria that he instructed to be built together with a castle.
In 1296, Castro Urdiales was appointed to defend Spain’s commercial portals. Then, at the end of the 16th century, the town experienced a temporary crisis with the rise of plagues, instances of fire and the onset of war. During this period of temporary downfall, Castro Urdiales was under the ownership of a group of judges until the end of the 19th century. The town eventually mustered to stand up on its feet and blossom again, becoming an economic player, as old mines opened again for full operation. Then on, Castro Urdiales continually strived to be progressive until finally, with the town’s natural splendor and historical relevance, it opened its doors to foreign tourists and local travelers.
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