How to visit Military Arsenal and shipyards of Ferrol

There are places in our Spanish geography whose image during the last century has been forged from an outstanding industrial activity, which, although it led to important economic development, was a brake on possible development as a tourist enclave.

That would be the case of some that I have visited recently such as, for example, Avilés o Langreo In asturias, Cartagena in Murcia, or Ferrol en Galicia.

After the industrial reconversions that they have undergone at the end of that century, in recent years an effort has been made to bring to light their attractions.

In the case of Ferrol, city of province of A Coruña, whose historic tradition of naval building now it has become an interesting and a good example of what is called industrial tourism.

Curiosities history of the Ferrol Military Arsenal

Of course I knew of their tradition as naval shipyard, but until I reached Ferrol I didn't know that it dates back to the 18th century.

It was then that the first king Bourbon, Philip V, decides to create a real Navy, and choose the Ferrol estuary, together with Cartagena and Cádiz, for the construction of the most modern shipyard and arsenal in Europe.

By then Ferrol It was a small village located on the banks of the estuary, and the reason for its choice was due to its strategic position.

This is easy to understand by looking at the configuration of the Ferrol estuary, with a great narrowing at its entrance, which since the 16th century made it a naval base for repair and shelter of ships defended by fortifications such as the San Felipe Castle.

From 1759, when the construction of the naval shipyards and military arsenal to store ships and weapons, Ferrol It went from being a small fishing village to becoming the most populated city in Galicia.

The first was built Working-class neighborhood of Esteiro and then the Magdalena neighborhood, with its novel urban configuration that resembles a chocolate bar, rectangular and with perpendicular streets, and with its modernist buildings.

What to see when visiting the historic Ferrol Military Arsenal

Now when you get to visit Ferrol, perhaps on one of the cruises that stop at the port of this Galician city, you have the possibility of making a tourist visit of these historic arsenals and shipyards which were known in recent times as Bazan, the national company that managed them.

Thus, you can be surprised by the architectural sumptuousness of the building of the Armoury.

Completed at the time of Carlos III, this building almost looks like a palace, but it was actually a warehouse to store cannons. With this sumptuousness the aim was to give the image of great military power.

In the 40th century, for about XNUMX years the Armoury It housed a training barracks for the Navy; In 2006 it was restored and is now a sailor's residence.

Keep in mind that the Ferrol Arsenal It is still a naval base where five frigates are currently based, where about 500 military personnel, 500 civilians work, and the crews of the aforementioned ships reside.

La Cortina Fortification in Ferrol Military Arsenal

To protect the arsenal and the docks, the fortification known as the curtain, where on your visit you can now see cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries.

This fortification was the last defensive line after the aforementioned San Felipe Castle and of the Palm, both at the entrance to the estuary.

During the visit you will be able to learn that the Spanish frigates based in Ferrol have the highest North American technology, among which their anti-aircraft defense radars stand out with a range of up to 500 kilometers!!

Campaña Dock in Ferrol Shipyards

In your walk through the Ferrol Military Arsenal will undoubtedly catch your attention Bell Dam.

Inaugurated in 1879, it is 140 meters long; Its construction took five years and up to 1.200 workers worked on it.

This dock is still used today for ship repair, and throughout history more than 2.500 ships have been stranded there.

On your visit you will finally pass through the monumental gate of the Dam, one of the icon images of Ferrol Arsenal, which overlooks the square where other iconic buildings of Ferrol are located, such as the Jofre Theater y Post.

You can complete the visit by touring the Ferrol Naval Museum, or the curious Naval Construction Museum, EXPONAV.

Guided tours of the Ferrol Military Arsenal

For visit the Ferrol Arsenal, you have to sign up for the guided tours organized by the local guide company Ferrol Guides, which are carried out in organized groups during Easter and summer, and on Saturdays and Sundays in the low season.

It is essential to book in advance, and here you have all the information about the guided tours of the Ferrol Military Arsenal.

In addition, here you have several other options guided tours of Ferrol, among which you have a general guided tour of the Galician city, and you can also sign up for the Modernism Route or a tour of the Meninas de Canido.