Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa

In 1987 a tribute to Cristóbal Balenciaga, the master of haute couture, was organised in San Sebastián to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Balenciaga Fashion House in Paris.

In 1994 the Development Association of the Fundación Cristóbal Balenciaga was set up. A group of enthusiasts, led by the Mayor of Getaria, set down the blueprint for the establishment of Fundación Cristóbal Balenciaga Fundazioa on the 9th of October 1999. Its purpose was to raise the profile of this artistic genius and promote his work. Presided over by Balenciaga’s close friend and admirer, Hubert de Givenchy, the foundation is also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture and the Getaria Town Hall, among others.

In 1999 refurbishment work starts on Palacio Aldamar, the villa that once belonged to the Marqués and Marquesa of Casa Torres.

In 2002 work on the Museum’s expansion project commences.

On April 14th, 2005, the Berroeta Aldamar S.L.company is set up to provide the finance for the construction and interior work on the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa. The partners in this company are Getaria Town Hall, the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and the Basque Government. 

On September 3rd, 2010, the official Basque institutions, the Basque Government through its Department of Culture and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council through its Department of Culture and Basque Language become members of the Foundation, joining the Department of Culture and the Getaria Town Hall, which been in the Foundation since 1999. A new stage begins.