Return of the Age of Great Navigators
In Pasaia, a small town in northern Spain, a unique reconstruction of a ship that was the pride of Basque sailors five centuries ago has been completed. The replica of the whaling vessel San Juan, originally built in the 16th century, touched water for the first time after more than a decade of painstaking work. This project became not only a technical achievement but also a true cultural event for the entire region.
The original San Juan, created during the height of the Spanish maritime empire, was among the first ships capable of crossing the Atlantic. Its mission was to harvest whale oil off the distant shores of Terranova. The vessel sank in 1565 off the coast of Labrador, where its remains centuries later became the subject of underwater archaeological research. Thanks to meticulous study of the surviving details, craftsmen were able to recreate every feature of the ship with maximum historical accuracy.
Reviving Forgotten Crafts
The project brought together more than three hundred enthusiasts—from generational carpenters to young volunteers. Along the way, almost vanished trades had to be revived: marine woodworking, blacksmithing, sailmaking, and rope-making. Oak from the forests of Navarra was used for the hull, and the masts were carved from fir trees grown in the Salazar valley. Even the resin for sealing the hull was traditionally sourced in Burgos.
All the work was carried out at a small shipyard, where every stage was overseen with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a 28-meter-long ship that can accommodate a crew of 60 and five whaleboats. Inside, you’ll find accurate replicas of copper boilers, fat barrels, and other items essential for long expeditions.
Looking ahead: a historic voyage and new projects
In the coming years, the team plans to send San Juan on a voyage along its 16th-century route—to the shores of Canada. The journey will take about two months, with the crew dressed in costumes tailored after period samples. Life on board will faithfully reproduce historical conditions: no modern comforts, only authentic routines and traditional food. After the return, the vessel will become a museum, where visitors can discover the lives and daring of Basque whalers, as well as the shipbuilding technologies of the past.
The project has already received international recognition: UNESCO selected the image of San Juan as a symbol of underwater cultural heritage. Inspired by this success, the organizers have announced a new initiative—the restoration of the last wooden tuna boat of San Sebastián (San Sebastián), to preserve another chapter of the region’s maritime history.
All of this became possible thanks to the passion and perseverance of people who weren’t afraid to seem eccentric, but proved that the past can come alive if you put your heart and hard work into it.
