The monument to Our Lady of Carmen, an icon of the town of Santurtzi, to be restored on the occasion of its 75th anniversary

The monument in honour of the Virgin of Carmen, in the heart of the fishing port of Santurtzi, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The sculpture, fashioned by the local Santurtzi artist Ricardo Iñurria, has become one of the town’s great icons, and is visited daily by hundreds of local residents.

For this reason, the local town council and the Bilbao Port Authority, aware that the monument is one of Santurtzi’s most emblematic symbols and to coincide with its anniversary, are jointly set to undertake a series of works to restore this artistic creation, originally unveiled to the public in 1950.

At the presentation of these works, Karmele Tubilla, mayoress of Santurtzi, accompanied by the managing director of the Port Authority, pointed out that “the statue, originally unveiled in 1950, presides over the port as an image of protection, tradition and devotion for all generations of the people of Santurtzi, and it is our job to preserve it. That is why we are joined here today by Antonio Aiz, managing director of the Port Authority, which will be responsible for carrying out this work. I would like to thank him for his presence and for his efforts to restore this monument commemorating Our Lady of Carmen.”

For his part, Antonio Aiz, managing director of the Port Authority, explained that “this initiative is the result of the close relationship we have with Santurtzi Town Council, looking to improve the port environment and the quality of life of the local community. This includes the restoration of our artistic heritage, something close to our hearts and closely linked to the tradition of a town that looks to the sea, not only to remember its past but also with a view to its future.”

All aspects of the restoration proposed by the company that will be doing this work, Artelis Conservación y Restauración, will be in compliance with