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The city of Bilbao is divided into eight districts, but we get a better picture of the true topography if we keep in mind that the city is divided by la ría del Nervión (the Nervión
 Emblematic theatre |
Plaza Arriaga, s/n Bilbao 48005 Spain +34 94 416 3533 / +34 94 416 3333 http://www.teatroarriaga.com/ |
Great drama has been performed by some of the country's best actors in this much-loved theatre over the years. Joaquin Ruboca designed the building using the Paris Opera House as a model to which he added some Renaissance touches. Outstanding architectural features include the two polygonal towers, the grand foyer, the mezzanine, the huge windows and the rooftop terrace with views of the river, Arenal and Campo Volantín. The elegantly furnished and sumptuously decorated interior has a magnificent imperial staircase designed by Francisco Hurtado de Saracho. The theatre opened in 1890 and was later named after a young local musician. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Rhys Wynne  |
 Photo: peter boer |
 Photo: Diego Echeberria Iba |
 Photo: aritzgarate |
 Photo: Francisco Martins |
 Photo: Digital Owl |
 Photo: Alberto Ceballos |
 Photo: urko2 |
 Photo: Juan Ramon Peña |
 Photo: J. G. del Sol Cobos |
 Photo: donkeydesope |
 Photo: lostinbilbao |
 Photo: Luis Gomez |
 Photo: maria elcoro-iribe |
 Photo: rp1970 |
 Photo: Lorenzo Solozabal M. |
 Photo: eliana martins |
 Photo: Jone Miskowicz |
 Photo: Margarita |
 16th century Cathedral |
Plaza Santiago, 1 Bilbao 48005 Spain +34 94 415 3627 |
This Cathedral was constructed in the 16th century, but the exact date is uncertain. What is known is that at that time it could be seen from any street in the city, with the cloister on the west and the porch on the north west. Times change, however, and it is now somewhat hidden behind new buildings. It could be considered the foundation stone on which Bilbao was built, as the seven streets of the old city converged at the Cathedral, which dates back to the time of St. James, before the city was built. The Cathedral is located in the Plaza de Santiago, which shares its name. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Daniel Lobo |
 Photo: Gregorio Perez Aguilera |
 Photo: Julio Arrieta |
 Photo: Stuart Frost |
 Government in the royal palace |
Plaza Moyua, s/n Bilbao 48009 Spain |
Among the notable buildings around the Plaza Moyúa, halfway down Bilbao's Gran Vía, is the Palacio de Chávarri. This is a beautiful building by Belgian architect, Paul Ankar, constructed in 1889 as a commission for businessman, Víctor Chávarri, who wanted it as a residence. The Palacio de Chávarri is built in a Flemish neorealist style, and is considered one of the most unusual examples of its kind in the city. The combination of colours and formal features result in a beautiful building that today houses the Gobierno Civil de Vizcaya (Biscay Civil Government). Stunning windows, balconies, gables, staircases and pointed garrets form an interesting structure which deserves to be admired. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: sara mattiace |
 Photo: Juanita Vasquez de G |
 Theatre and cinema combined |
Alameda de Urkijo, 13 Bilbao 48008 Spain +34 94 415 3954 |
The Coliseo Albia Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in the city, and is famous among the city's residents for being the location where operatic performances presented by the ABAO (Bilboa Friends of the Opera Association) were staged for almost fifty years before switching to the new Palacio Euskalduna. The Coliseo Albia's theatre contains the traditional boxes, seats and balconies from where, nowadays, you can watch films screened during the evenings. The theatre is situated near the Miguel de Unamuno Institute and the Campos Elíseos Theatre, another one-time landmark of the city. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Diego Sanz |
 Photo: Alex Etxebarria |
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City's main water thoroughfare |
Rio de Bilbao Bilbao 48005 Spain |
Considered a vital thoroughfare in this industrial and commercial city, the Nervión estuary has been one of the fundamental driving forces in Bilbao's economic and historical development: quays, buildings, warehouses, factories, steelworks, all sprung up on either bank shaping an industrial landscape some 14 kilometres in length along the river's route. Today little of this development remains. In the great transformation from industrial city to a city based on services that has taken shape in Bilbao, the Nervión or Ibaizabal estuary has played a part, with two of the city's most emblematic buildings today having been been built on one of its banks: the Guggenheim Museum and the Palacio de Congresos y de la Música, or Palacio Euskalduna. The cleaning of this estuary of great character and personality will in the future allow it to shine again in all its splendour and once again occupy the place it so deserves in the town's life. A speedy trip across the bridges that mark the estuary take us from its most distant past to the very present. Setting out from the symbolic San Antón bridge, the most recent bridge we come across is the one next to the Palacio de Euskaldena, from which it takes its name. It is a modern metal structure with a roofed walkway for pedestrians. Today visitors can sail in the Nervión in a boat called the Pil-Pil, in a trip that starts off at the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao and ends at the Abra port in Getxo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jose Angel Morente |
 Photo: paxpuig |
 Photo: grapenut |
 Photo: Adam Robinson |
 Photo: Lucy J Benjamin |
 Photo: MOSTLYBYTRAIN |
 Photo: speisboi |
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Commercial variety |
Bilbao, Vizcaya 48005 Spain |
Narrow winding streets, small squares and neighborhoods comprise this charming district that buzzes with activity every day of the year. As the heart of the old town, this area dates back to 1300 and in 1972 was recogized in statute as having great historical and cultural importance. After the disastrous floods in 1983 much of the district was rebuilt and improved. The Plaza Nueva, Plaza Miguel de Unamuno and Santiago Cathedral are particularly deserving of a visit, as are the many independently-owned boutiques that offer shoppers a wealth of choices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Gary Pritchard |
 Photo: Beltza Scene Vol.3 |
 Photo: Jesús Gorriti |
 Photo: | *anabel | |
 Photo: Alberto Alvarez-Pere |
 Photo: StaneStane |
 Photo: Max Naylor |
 Photo: Stuart Smith |
 Photo: Jay |
 Photo: tokyoshawn |
 Photo: michelle leer |
 Photo: Corey Root |
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Impressive main altar |
Plaza de San Vicente, s/n Bilbao 48001 Spain |
On the site of this church, in Calle San Vicente, stood a little 16th hermitage, which was neglected for nearly two centuries. The church there now is Basque Gothic in design with very austere proportions at odds with Renaissance tendencies. The main altar is Neoclassical and the side altars are 20th century, the work of Ricardo Bastida. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Renata Palazzo |
 Photo: iker.vitoria |