In 1906, the French company Saint Gobain chose the land of Arija-Vilga to establish its first factory in Spain, dedicated to the production of glass and other accessories. The factory colony followed the model established by the corporation in other European countries: a factory town.

The factory town of Arija, linked to the French multinational Saint-Gobain, connects us with the history of glass and master glassmakers. Due to its characteristics, described above, it contributes to the history of glass in Campoo, which at the end of the 19th century had four factories supplying 30% of national consumption.

The origins of the master glassmakers connect us with the glassmaking families who traveled throughout Europe, moving from one factory to another frequently. For this reason, Arija and Campoo are dotted with French, Belgian, and Italian surnames. In Las Rozas de Valdearroyo, a municipality bordering Arija, at the end of the 19th century, half of its inhabitants were foreigners, who worked in the "La Luisiana" glass factory. 

Our collaboration with the Glass Technology Museum in La Granja de San Ildefonso can provide us with materials for the museum and outreach activities.

The collaboration with Genverre Association (Genealogy of the Glassmakers of Europe) reinforces this European dimension, associated with industrial heritage tourism.