La Encartada Beret Factory Museum in Balmaseda

La Encartada is a museum housed in a former textile factory that displays the machinery and tools of beret production. The building itself preserves the original factory layout and equipment from its working years.

The factory was founded in 1892 and operated for over 100 years until closing in 1992. The building later reopened as a museum in 2007 to preserve this period of industrial history.

The museum shows how traditional beret-making shaped the region's identity and brought workers together around shared craft skills. You can see the hands-on techniques that families passed down through generations.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with longer hours during summer months. Groups can arrange guided tours in advance and should plan ahead when visiting.

The museum preserves the complete original production line, allowing visitors to follow the entire process from raw wool to finished beret. This intact equipment provides a rare look at manufacturing techniques that are seldom used today.

Location: Balmaseda

Opening Hours: November 01-April 30 Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-14:00; easter -3 days-easter -1 day 10:00-14:00,16:00-19:00; May 01-October 31 Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-14:00,16:00-19:00; May 01-October 31 Sunday,Holidays 10:00-14:00; Monday closed; January 01,06,December 25 closed

Phone: +34946800778

Website: https://bizkaikoa.bizkaia.eus/laencartada

GPS coordinates: 43.17592,-3.21278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:11