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    Tourist Attractions in Bilbao

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Bilbao. Photos and a brief description.

    Bilbao
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    About Bilbao

    Bilbao is known all over the world for its main attraction – the incredible Guggenheim Museum. Many guidebooks include this building in the list of places to visit in Spain. But the capital of the proud and independent Basque Country is not reduced to a single museum, although quite outstanding. There are magnificent cathedrals, charming European streets, and picturesque neighborhoods with cozy squares.

    The mysterious Basques still do not recognize themselves as Spaniards, believing that they live in a separate state. This self-awareness and identity seem to be floating in the air of Bilbao, forcing us to sympathize with the central authorities sitting in Madrid. What is the fact that the Basque language is not like any European and belongs to a completely different group.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Bilbao

    Guggenheim Museum

    The Museum of Modern Art, which has long become a symbol of Bilbao. The collection is located in a grandiose deconstructivist building, built in 1997 by architect F. Gehry. Located on the embankment, it embodies the idea of a futuristic ship. The permanent exhibition of the museum is dedicated to the XX century, most of the exhibits are installations, abstractions and avant–garde works.

    Guggenheim Museum
    Plaza Nueva

    Plaza Nueva

    Places like Plaza Nueva, perhaps, are in every Spanish city – the capital of the autonomous region. The square looks like an enclosed courtyard. An arched gallery runs along the perimeter, under the arches of which there are tables of cafes and tapas bars. On Sundays there is a flea market where you can buy antique books, coins, stamps, posters and even birds in wooden cages.

    Biscay Bridge

    An unusual bridge is a transporter that transports passengers from one side of the river to the other using a suspended gondola. The structure was erected in 1893 according to the project of a student of the famous engineer G. Eiffel. With the help of a special elevator, passengers can climb to the platform and look at the surroundings. It is also possible to cross it on foot, but this pleasure will cost much more.

    Biscay Bridge

    Campo Volantine Bridge

    An arched suspension bridge that is intended only for pedestrians. It was built in 1997 according to the project of the famous architect S. Calatrava. The main platform of the structure is supported by steel cables. This place is a symbol of modern Bilbao and therefore is very popular with tourists. At the same time, people recognize its impracticality – it becomes dangerous to walk on it during the rain.

    Archanda Funicular

    The funicular takes tourists to the top of Artksanda Mountain, where there is a sports complex, a hotel, a park and several restaurants. During the trip, passengers can look at the panorama of Bilbao. The first funicular was built on this site in 1915. After the end of the Civil War, it reopened in 1938. The mechanism was launched for the third time in 1983 after its modernization.

    Archanda Funicular
    Basilica de Begogna

    Basilica de Begogna

    Residents of Biscay consider St. The Virgin Mary Begonia is the patroness of all navigators. The basilica in her honor was erected in Bilbao in the XVII century. The exterior of the building combines Gothic and Baroque features, the interior can be called elegant and luxurious. Special attention is drawn to the gilded altar, executed in the Baroque manner, and the wooden statue of the Virgin Mary installed in the middle.

    Cathedral of St. James

    The Gothic cathedral, which was built in 1300 before the foundation of the city itself at a time when there was a small village of fishermen. It was built on the route of pilgrims who followed one of the roads of the Way of St. James. After 1374, the building was constantly rebuilt, so it gradually acquired features of several architectural styles. The church received the status of a cathedral only in 1950.

    Cathedral of St. James
    St. Nicholas Church

    St. Nicholas Church

    The church in honor of St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, erected in the XVI century. Due to the fact that the church stands close enough to the river, its foundation and walls were gradually destroyed due to flooding. In 1756, a new Baroque church was erected, having prudently installed it on a solid stone plinth. Inside the temple, an elaborately executed altar and sculptures by sculptor H. P. de Mena have been preserved.

    Museum of Fine Arts

    Unlike the famous Guggenheim, the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts is more traditional – it includes almost all the artistic heritage of Spain from medieval sculptures to modern pop art. The works of F. are exhibited here . Goya, B. Murillo, El Greco, H. de Ribera, as well as many paintings by Basque painters. The museum constantly organizes temporary exhibitions, where collections from other countries are brought.

    Museum of Fine Arts
    Basque Museum

    Basque Museum

    The museum was established in 1921 with the aim of preserving Basque culture. The first exhibits appeared here thanks to gifts from private individuals who gave the museum antique furniture, clothes, family coats of arms, books and other artifacts. Today the collection has thousands of copies. In the museum you can get better acquainted with the culture of the Basques, the origins of the traditions of the region, the history of the language.

    Maritime Museum

    A modern exposition located in the docks of the old shipyard of Euskaldun (part of it is in the open air). The museum has several thematic sections dedicated to the geography of the Bay of Biscay, flora and fauna, maritime trade and shipbuilding. Visitors will see models of ships, maps of the ocean depths, learn how to knit sea knots and try themselves as a ship's captain.

    Maritime Museum
    Arriaga Theater

    Arriaga Theater

    The city theater, which was built several times and destroyed either by fires or floods. A neo-Baroque building built in the XX century has survived to this day. Both dramatic and musical performances are staged on the stage, and bright dance shows are also held here. The theater constantly receives troupes of touring artists, come here to perform from different countries.

    Alhondiga

    Entertainment complex created with the participation of industrial designer F. Stark. Restaurants, clubs, concert venues and galleries are located here. There is even a library and a swimming pool with a transparent floor on the top floor. Once the building housed a "strategic reserve" of wine of the Basque country, today it has turned into a mecca of entertainment for residents and tourists.

    Alhondiga
    Euskaldun 's Palace

    Euskaldun 's Palace

    The Bilbao Symphony Orchestra performs in the building. Before a separate concert hall was built, the musicians played on the stage of the Arriaga Theater. The Palace of Euskaldun is a modern structure, shaped like a ship. In addition to the performance area and the auditorium, there is a gallery with shops and restaurants inside. One institution is even marked with a Michelin star.

    Palace of the Council of the Province of Biscay

    The building where the government of Biscay meets. It was built at the beginning of the XX century. The architectural style can be attributed to neo-Baroque, as the walls and facade of the structure are decorated with rich decor, but at the same time, they do not look too pretentious. You can go inside as part of an excursion group. In some months, this can only be done in the morning.

    Palace of the Council of the Province of Biscay
    Bilbao City Hall

    Bilbao City Hall

    The City Hall was built in 1892 according to the project of E. Ernesto. And although at that time the minds of architects firmly captured the neoclassical style and modernism, this master remained faithful to the old and good Baroque. The City Hall turned out to be surprisingly similar to the elegant palaces of the aristocrats of the XVII-XVIII centuries with its arched windows, central tower and picturesque balconies of the central facade.

    Concordia Train Station

    The station is located in the Ensanche district, which was built up mainly in the first half of the XIX century. The station building was erected in the Art Nouveau style in 1902, designed by engineer V. Gorben and architect S. Achukarro. It is an architectural masterpiece of the so—called "Beautiful Epoch" - the period of European history from the last decades of the XIX century to the beginning of the First World War.

    Concordia Train Station
    Ribera Market

    Ribera Market

    Ribera is considered one of the largest indoor markets in Europe. Back in the XIV century, a street bazaar was located in its place. The shopping malls are located in a building that stands at the very edge of the water and resembles a ship about to set sail. It sells vegetables, farm cheeses, seafood, fruits, flowers, spices and much more. You can not only come here for groceries, but also have a delicious snack.

    San Mames Stadium

    The arena opened in 2013 on the site of the old stadium, which existed for 100 years and all this time was considered one of the best in Europe. It is home to Athletic Bilbao Football Club. So far, the stadium has not managed to fall in love with the audience as much as its predecessor, but fame will surely come as soon as the arena hosts some major international competitions.

    San Mames Stadium
    Dona Casilda Iturrisar Park

    Dona Casilda Iturrisar Park

    A vast green area located between the districts of Ensanche and Abandoibarra. The park covers an area of almost 50 thousand m2. There is an extensive network of walking alleys, fountains, benches, and many elements of landscape design. The park is a great place to relax for residents of nearby areas. Tourists also visit this place, as it is only a 5-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum.