MARITIME HERITAGE INTERPRETATION CENTRE OF MUROS. OLD SALT FACTORY (SEL)

The port of Muros has stood out for its fishing production since the Middle Ages, particularly sardines, which were exported to distant places thanks to salt-curing. From the late 18th century, the richness of these seas attracted numerous industrialists to Muros and the rest of the Ría, who gave a new direction to this tradition.

The salting factories first, and later canning factories, completely transformed the economy of Muros and the way of life of its seafaring people.

The great explosion of this new industry took place during the 19th century and continued into the early 20th century. However, overexploitation had its downsides and ultimately led to the closure of many of the factories.

Timoteo del Sel, originally from the Cantabrian town of Castro Urdiales and an emigrant to Argentina, returned from Buenos Aires around 1883, settling with his family in Muros in 1894.

Authorised by Royal Decree of the Ministry of Development on 1 February 1894, he built along the beach of Axesta, in the manner of a pier, a stone wall delimiting the maritime perimeter. On top of it, a residential house with a ground floor, a first floor and an attic; behind it, two identical buildings that housed the factory facilities.

It was the first canning factory to be established in the Municipality of Muros and remained in operation until 1977.

The factory ceased operations in 1977.

In 2008, a major restoration was carried out; today it is municipally owned and operates as a Multipurpose Centre. One of its buildings also houses the Maritime Heritage Interpretation Centre, a place where visitors can explore the historical link between Muros and the sea through its use and knowledge. Throughout its rooms, visitors will learn about fishing activities in different contexts and their development throughout history: fishing, shellfish gathering, preservation methods — from primitive salt-curing to canning — shipbuilding carpentry, and more.

Thanks to the donations and collaboration of individuals and non-profit associations, the Sel Interpretation Centre hosts several permanent exhibitions:

Between salting and canning

Shipbuilding carpentry

Two boats

Model boats

Legends of the sea

Shipwrecks