Reales Astilleros de Esteiro

The Real Astillero de Esteiro (in English: Esteiro Royal Dockyards) was a royal shipyard in Ferrol in Spain. Orders for its construction were issued by Ferdinand VI of Spain on 9 April 1749, following the decision by the naval minister Zenón de Somodevilla, 1st Marqués de la Ensenada, to build new naval fortifications and installations in Ferrol and its surrounding area. Initial construction was managed by Cosme Álvarez, Comandante General of the Department. It was sited on the northwest slope of the monte Esteiro near Ferrol. It was initially planned to have four levels, but by the end this rose to twelve, proportional to the mountain's slope. Barracks, workshops and warehouses were also built.