127. Holy water fonts, a common feature in farm bedrooms. The bowl was made on the wheel, whereas the plate, which bore a religious motif, was moulded.© Jose López, Xabi Otero

I first learned of the potteries of Aretxabaleta from José Ramón Arenaza, who is a native of the town. The potteries stood in the Puerta del Sol district. The house where the workshops stood is still called "Las Ollerías" [the potteries]. It was later turned into lodgings for a nearby spa frequented particularly by people from Madrid-hence the name of the district [The Puerta del Sol is one of the main squares in Madrid]. The great-great-grandson of the last potter, Ignacio Azkoitia, tells me that his ancestors came from Zalduondo. The last potter in Aretxabaleta was Julián López de Munain.