Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle played an essential role in the birth of Basque pelota. Thirteen-year-old Gantxiki, the son of a blacksmith, had the idea while playing with his friend Halsouet from the Donamartia farm to use a small wicker basket to throw the pelota further. History was on its way...
Inaugurated on 20 July 2009 and located in the Donamartia house in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, in the heart of the Basque Country, the Museum of Basque Pelota and Xistera presents all the secrets about the invention of Xistera and Basque pelota.
"Visitors enter a room typical of a place where people lived in the last century, with sketches, archive photos, cups, paintings and an audiovisual animation telling the history of the village and that of Basque Pelota and Xistera," says the Basque Tourist Office.
This is how the visitor can discover the secrets of the making of a xistera and a pelota. On a giant screen, impressive games of pelota are broadcast, with great champions battling it out. Visitors will be able to see demonstrations of the different forms of pelota play: Rebot, Pasaka, Bare Hand, Pala leather, Pala rubber, Xare, Xistera...
Ecomuseum of the pelota and xistera Pilotari
Tourist Office of Saint-Pée sur Nivelle
Place of the pediment
Karrika Street,
64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle
Tel: 05 59 54 11 69
