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Extraordinary Women
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Shoes from the Beasain shoe factory. They are dancing and “Sunday” shoes.

Group Z
Date c. 1985
Origin Menorca
Brand -
Source (DFG) Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
License Copyleft

Zapato (Shoe)

The history of shoemaking in Gipuzkoa is an integral part of the region’s industrial tradition, with significant participation from women. It has its roots in the artisan tradition of the 19th century. Towns such as Tolosa and Azpeitia became essential centers of shoe production. At the beginning of the 20th century, shoe production began to be industrialized, and factories such as Calzados Arrue in Azpeitia were established and grew rapidly.

Women played crucial roles in the shoe industry. They worked on tasks such as stitching, finishing, and packaging. In some factories, women made up a significant part of the workforce. Initially, working conditions were harsh, with long hours and low wages, often lower than those of men for similar work. Many women developed specialized skills in shoemaking. The shoe industry provided employment opportunities for many women in Gipuzkoa and contributed to the economic independence of women in the region.

In the last decades of the 20th century, the shoe industry in Gipuzkoa faced challenges due to global competition; many factories closed or moved, affecting female employment in the sector. Although the industry has declined, the legacy of women in shoemaking in Gipuzkoa persists in the collective memory and in some companies that continue the tradition.

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