Legazpi, Spain

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Legazpi is a city in Guipúzcoa province in the Basque Country of Spain.

Legazpi is a town of about 9000 inhabitants located on top of Urola valley, in Guipuzcoa. Surrounded by many mountains, and near to the Aizkorri mountain range, its predominant economic activity is industrial (manufacture, metalurgics, plastics).

The rich industrial tradition of Legazpi comes from the Middle Ages, when transformation of iron minerals was given by "haizeolak" (meaning "factories moved by wind"). Later, during XIVth century, the energy of water replaced wind in the process, and several "iron factories moved by water" were founded ("ur", water and "ola", factory are the two components of the river Urola, crossing Legazpi). This industrial tradition had its continuity in modern times, and Legazpi became one of the most important metallurgic centres in the industrialised modern Basque Country.

One of the XIVth century factories (called Mirandaola) has remained until today, being the heart of an interesting complex where traditions and ways of living from the past are shown.