Santurtzi (; ; ) is a port city and municipality in the province of Biscay in the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain. It is located in the Bilbao Abra bay, near the mouth of the Nervión river, on its left bank, downriver from Bilbao and forms part of the Bilbao metropolitan area. It has 46,530 inhabitants.
The barrio of Santurce in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, derives its name from Santurtzi.
History and etymology According to legends, the current church of St. George was originally founded as a monastery by English monks fleeing from religious persecution. They established themselves on the Basque coast, specifically the Somorrostro Valley, from which would later develop the town of Santurtzi.
The name Santurtzi is derived from the Latin Sant Georgi, as was the hermitage in Gordejuela near current Oquendo. In neighbouring Cantabria, Burgos and Araba exist several towns with variations of the same name: Santurde, Santiurde de Reinosa and Santurdejo.
The Spanish language form Santurce first appeared in 1333, whilst its Basque counterpart would first be shown written in 1372. During the Middle Ages it could also be found referred to as San Jurdic, San Yurdie, Sturse and Santursi, amongst others. In current day, both names are used interchangeably, with certain preference given to Santurtzi, given its frequent use in Spanish.
The official name of the municipality has also seen various changes. During the 19th century it was officially considered to be Santurce, however in 1901 it was divided in two. The inland part of this division would become Santurce Ortuella, as the mining town of Ortuella had grown enough to promote itself as the largest urban conglomeration of Santurce. The coastal side maintained its population base in Santurtzi, and began to be called Old Santurce. The cultural and traditional relationship between the two divisions can still be observed in the border area of Kabiezes.
On 14 November 1980, Vicente Zorita Alonsoa candidate for the Basque Parliament and a long time administrative employeewas murdered by ETA as a statement against political supporters of the oligarchy.
Geography
In general, Santurtzi has a very rough orography, although excluding Mount Serantes (452m) - one of its most symbolic topographic elements - it is not at high altitude, the significant heights being spurs of the Serantes (Serandi): The Mallet (245m) and the Fortified Heights (123 and 106m). Its relief is contained within the north flank of the anticline of Biscay. It is a structural type relief composed of urgonian limestone from the Cretaceous period found all throughout Punta Lucero-Serantes, smoothly inclined towards the Estuary of Bilbao.
The climate in Santurtzi pertains to the humid oceanic climate type. The temperatures are moderate throughout the year, with more frequent rains in spring and autumn. Winters are mild and summers not excessively warm. The average temperature is 20 °C (70ªF) in summer and 8 °C (48ªF) in winter.
Demographics
As of 2025, the population is 46,530, of which 48.0% are male, and 52.0% are female. Minors make up 14.2% of the population, and seniors make up 25.2%.
Immigration As of 2025, immigrants make up 10.8% of the population. The 5 largest foreign countries of birth are Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela, Romania, and Nicaragua.
Administration
Mayors Years Mayor Party 1979-1983 José Antonio Loidi Alcaraz EAJ-PNV 1983-1987 José Miguel Darquistade Albizua PSOE 1987-1991 José Miguel Darquistade Albizua PSOE 1987-1995 José Miguel Darquistade Albizua PSOE 1995-1999 José Miguel Darquistade Albizua PSE-EE 1999-2003 Francisco Javier Cruz Expósito PSE-EE 2003-2007 Francisco Javier Cruz Expósito PSE-EE 2007-2011 Ricardo Ituarte Azpiazu EAJ-PNV 2011-2015 Ricardo Ituarte Azpiazu EAJ-PNV 2015-2019 Aintzane Urkijo Sagredo EAJ-PNV2019-2023 Aintzane Urkijo Sagredo EAJ-PNV2023-2027Karmele Tubilla ArtetxeEAJ-PNV
Santurtzi City Council Santurtzi City Council (2023-2027):
Mayor Karmele Tubilla (PNV)
Councillors
Edorta Rodrigo Izaola (PNV) Itziar Carrocera Fernández (PNV) Miguel Álvarez Ramírez (PNV) Ixone Andreu (PNV) Sonia López Bahamonde (PNV) Imanol Urrutxua Betanzos (PNV) Juan Andrades García (PSE) Itziar Utrera Pérez (PSE) Mario Gómez Pérez (PSE) Olga Pastor Albizu (PSE) Pedro Martínez González (PSE) Ainhoa Lopera Corada (Elkarrekin Podemos) José Manuel De Pablos Bajo (Elkarrekin Podemos) Miren Matanzas Gorostizaga (EH Bildu) Carlos Sáez Méndez (EH Bildu) Amaia Ginea Mardones (EH Bildu) Jose Ignacio Martín Haba (EH Bildu) Naiara Gutierrez Bilbao (EH Bildu) Beñat Goikoetxea López (EH Bildu) Luis Ángel Urdiales Villanueva (EH Bildu)
Monuments San Jorge church (1725, the tower in 1844) House Toasts (1890) Town Hall (1905) Monument to Cristóbal Murrieta (1923) Patronato Santa Eulalia (1914) Home and clinical San Juan de Dios (1925) Oriol Palace (1913) Science of navigation school (1860) and Hijas de la Cruz college (1863) Virgen del Mar church (1901) Fishermen Confraternity (1916) Town Park (1918) and Central Kiosk (1917) Mamariga fountain (1882) Monument to the Sardinera (1964) Fishing Port (1916) and Virgin of Carmen (1950) Museum of Sculptures Monument to Miguel de Unamuno Señorío de Vizcaya Square (redesign 2007)
Events and festivities The life in the area is focused on the sea, which inspires its work and its leisure. Fishing boat and rowing boat races, and the celebrations of the Virgin of the Carmen are carried out each year. Easter Monday - Pascua - Cornites April 23, San Jorge June 24, San Juan, San Juan neighbourhood June 29, San Pedro (Cabieces neighbourhood) July 16, Virgen del Carmen September 8, Virgen del Mar (Mamariga neighbourhood)
References
External links Official website (in Basque / Spanish) Santurce-Santurtzi in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa)