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 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 |
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Local church |
Plaza de la Encarnación, s/n Bilbao 48006 Spain |
The Church of the Incarnation is located in the old part of the city, where farmers growing vegetables and the local chacoli wine grape used to thrive. It was also once the gateway to the Way of St. James. Construction was started by local people in the 16th century (precise date unknown). It was at first a little monastery in the Calle Somera, housing 29 monks, who moved to the Convento de la Encarnacion, in Atxuri. The building was completed in 1523, but was not at first accepted by the the secular clergy nor the nobility of Bilbao. You can visit the church and hear Mass there. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Combined chapel, convent and school |
Esperanza, s/n Bilbao 48005 Spain |
As its name suggests, this building was originally a convent belonging to Augustinian nuns, located on the outskirts of Bilbao, which has not changed, and has been maintained in excellent condition. The surroundings have changed, however. It is a rectangular shape which becomes L-shaped by the Begoña steps. It is currently a convent and school, with a chapel and internal gardens, which still have their original stone. It can be reached by taking some steps from the Calle de la Esperanza up to the first floor of the convent. There are no Masses there at the moment, but there are still some services in the chapel. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Church and cultural centre |
Plaza de la Merced, s/n Bilbao 48005 Spain |
This building was formerly a convent located on the left bank of the river, near a bridge and a street of the same name, La Merced. It stopped being a place of worship because it was in such a bad state of repair. In 1989 it was turned into a public building by the Bilbao city council. The following year it became a multi-purpose cultural centre, giving it some importance as a provider of culture along with the Teatro Arriaga and others. It also has daily Masses. It is a Baroque building, which has had a lot of work done on it. Upstairs is now the headquarters of the department responsible for restoring the old part of the city, and the downstairs is used for theatrical performances and cultural activities. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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In the shield of Bilbao |
Rivera, 24 Bilbao 48006 Spain +34 94 415 4262 |
This church is located in the Plaza de los Santos Juanes, and is one of the monuments within Bilbao's coat of arms. It has its origins in a religious act which took place on 5th August 1433 in the Temple of San Antonio Abad, patron saint of farmers. It is a Castilian Gothic style monument with a porch containing Renaissance features and a Baroque bell tower. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Iván Duque |
 Photo: sam ross-gower |
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Patron saint of sailors |
Esperanza, 1 Bilbao 48005 Spain |
A humble little hermitage was built between the river and the old city in a fishing area as a sign to sailors that the city was not far away. The hermitage was dedicated to Saint Nicolas de Bari, patron saint of sailors. In the 15th century, thanks to funding from the people of Bilbao, construction began on another church in the Arenal, very close to the Teatro Arriaga, which is pure Baroque with very decorative towers. The church contains sculptures by Juan Pascual de Mena, of the Spanish Academy in Madrid. Masses: 11.30am, Mon-Fri; 6p Sat; noon & 1pm Sun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Cortney Easterwood |
 Photo: Maialen |
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Last Gothic building in Bilbao |
Plaza San Pedro, s/n Bilbao 48014 Spain +34 94 475 4964 |
This is the last Gothic building constructed in Bilbao, in one of the most famous areas, the barrio de Deusto, in the 16th century. Its most significant feature is the main altar which is Renaissance style. It has had a number of alterations to make it fit in with its surroundings. The best example of this dates back to the 1970s, when the original church had an extension built in concrete, metal and glass, which hides the artistic value of this old church. Masses: 12.30pm Mon-Fri; 12.30pm & 8pm Sat; 10am, 11am, midday & 1pm Sun. (1 pm Sun in Basque language). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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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 |
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Getxo monument |
Carretera Maidagam Bilbao 48990 Spain +34 94 460 0445 |
Santa Maria de Getxo is located in the Getxo area, a lovely spot on the Biscayan coast about a quarter of an hour from the centre of Bilbao. It is a church with Romanesque origins whose construction began in the 12th century, but little is known of its beginnings. What is known is that what can now be seen is from the 18th century and it is more Baroque in style. Of particular importance are the wooden porches which house a sculpture of the Virgin Mary sitting with the Baby Jesus. The most decorative parts of the church are the two shields which represent the arms of the House of Getxo-Martiartu. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Natacha201 |
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Looking down on Bilbao |
Virgen de Begoña, 38 Bilbao 48006 Spain +1 34 94 412 6805 |
This church dominates the city from its hilltop location. It dates from the 16th century and its most outstanding feature is the Renaissance-style main entrance. The main altar is an important example of the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture. Mass: M-F 9a, 11a & 6p; Sat 10a, noon, 1p, 6p, 7p & 8p; Sun 10a, noon, 6p &8p. No tourist visits allowed during mass. Mass is celebrated in the Basque language at 7p on Sat and at 10a on Sun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alberto Alvarez-Pere |
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Looking down on Portugalete |
Santa María, s/n Bilbao 48920 Spain |
This Basilica is located in Portugalete, a coastal town, fifteen minutes from Bilbao, where you can go to see El Puente Colgante, a suspension bridge, as well as this work of art, the Basilica, which has been declared a national Basque monument. It was erected in the 15th century by Doña María López de Haro and took almost 100 years to build. It is in Gothic style, which can be fully appreciated from the outside, as you can see the big high windows with pointed arches, the buttresses, and the flying buttresses. Inside it has strong columns with ribs leaning against the vaults, and a little triforium of arches which are reminiscent of the old pilgrims' churches. From the Basilica of Santa María, there is a fantastic bird's-eye view of Portugalete. Mass times: 7pm Mon-Fri; 12pm, 1pm, and 6.30pm Sat, Sun and holidays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Church where seven streets meet |
La Cruz, 4 Bilbao 48006 Spain |
This church is located in the Calle de la Cruz which used to be the street where all the other streets in the old part of the city converged. It was built in 1614, and was designed by Martinez Ibañez de Zalbidea. The style of this artistic monument is Biscayan Baroque, and the materials used were sandstone carved by stonemasons. It was restored in 1964. The main aim of building the church was to establish a base for a Jesuit foundation in Bilbao. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |