Small park overlooking Algortha.
Text of the information panel: Due to its strategic location and its gun battery, the San Ignacio Fort, built around 1640, was one of the most important points for the defense of the bay of El Abra against enemy ships and pirate attacks, along with the small Arrigunaga Fort and the La Galea Fort.
In 1791, the Consulate of Bilbao improved its communication systems by placing flags at observation posts or lookout points. The chosen location in Algorta was the Usategi headland (dovecote in Basque) and became an important point for monitoring El Abra and for transmitting messages using pennants or flags of different colors (red, white and black). The signals sent were received on Mount Elorriaga and from there transmitted to El Arenal in Bilbao. This place is therefore also known as the "Square of the Flags".
In this place, which also offers a wonderful view of El Abra, the residents of the port of Algorta hold the religious pilgrimage in honour of San Nicolas on 12 August.
And by observing the maritime traffic entering and leaving the port of Bilbao, we can learn what types of ships sail our waters: cruise ships, gas tankers, container ships, leisure sailboats and yachts, bulk carriers, fishing vessels, car carriers, dredgers, oil tankers…