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Source: Photo archive of the General Direction of Tourism.

The Oria is the main river of Gipuzkoa. It runs from its source in Aizkorri for 75 kilometres through 18 municipalities until it enters the sea at Orio. Even though it may seem the town has traditionally been a fishing town, its inhabitants had to also work in other trades to earn their living. There have been several shipyards along the Oria river estuary – that is, the kilometres of the river that are tidal ؘ– from the 16^th century to the present. And why is that? The Orio coastline was originally known for its currents that made it very dangerous for ships and boats. Before the two sandbars were built and the estuary took on the appearance that we know today, the seafarers from Orio faced great difficulties to set to sea from there. They therefore turned to other trades in the past.

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