Elegant and exclusively for male
Bilbao 48001
Review © 2007, Wcities
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Elegant and exclusively for male |
Navarra, 1 Bilbao 48001 |
Climbing from the the Arenal bridge and walking to the calle Navarra, we come across the distinguished building which has been declared of cultural interest and houses one of the most select private clubs in the Vizcayan capital, created in 1839. In its beginnings, La Sociedad Bilbaína had its headquarters in Plaza Nueva, but in 1913 it moved to its present site. This building with its emblematic facade and large bay windows, was built by Emiliano Amnan. Founded as a place of relaxation and recreation in the purest European style of the time, this magnificent club has one of the most important private libraries in Spain, containing more than 40,000 volumes, including incunabula. This outstanding building is opulently decorated inside, and some of the most important personalities in the areas of economics, finance and culture have passed through its doors. Apart from general club rooms, it has areas for games like chess and billiards. The general public are allowed into its restaurant and English bar. Women cannot become members of the Sociedad Bilbaína. Given the matriarchal nature of Basque society, it is worth respecting the exclusive masculinity of this domain. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
Like in a fairy tale |
Playas de Gorliz Gatika 48110 |
20km from Bilbao, in the municipality of Gatika and very near the beaches of Gorliz y Plencia, is this marvellous castle inspired by the French medieval gothic style and built around the 13th century. It is encircled by a large park of some 45000m2. Its primitive tower was the nucleus that permitted the later construction of the castle by the fifth Lord of Butrón in the middle of the 14th century. Abandoned for many years, it was restored at the end of the 19th century to the building so admired today; a restoration that was carried out in 1878 by the architect, Francisco de Cubas. Among its main attractions the tower perched above the main gate stands out, with its slate top finished with a mixture of zinc weather vanes and battlements, encircled by four smaller cone shaped towers. This beautiful building provides the visitor with audiovisual information, as well as graphic illustrations of the castle's medieval history, and re-enactments of the personalities and everyday scenes of the day. It is a complete fantasy world in which, during certain times of the year, one can enjoy a medieval banquet with all the attendant entertainment. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: marila64 |
 Photo: venustas\tom |
Government in the royal palace |
Plaza Moyua, s/n Bilbao 48009 |
Among the buildings of note 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, and constructed in 1889 as a commission for businessman, Víctor Chávarri, who wanted it as a residence. The Palacio de Chávarri, Flemish neorealist in style and considered one of the most unusual examples of its kind in the city, combines colours and formal features that result in a beautiful building that today houses the Gobierno Civil de Vizcaya (Vizcayan Civil Government). Different windows and balconies, gables, staircases and pointed garrets form, all together, an interesting structure which deserves to be admired from any of its perspectives. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: sara mattiace  |
 Photo: Juanita Vasquez de G |
A calm space |
Sabino Arana, 2 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48013 +34 (0)944 41 1900 |
It is just where one of the main roads into and out of Bilbao begins, close to the Plaza del Sagrado Corazón. Created and designed as a sanctuary for the destitute by the architect, Antonio de Goicoechea, in 1871, this immense building, was opened in 1872 by Amadeo de Saboya. The building is the fruit of a combination of neo-classical features, with the lineal layout of its facades and cupolas at its corners making for a sober building in whose front part there is a small and peaceful park. Very close to La Misericordia you'll find the Athletic Club de Bilbao's football stadium which was built in 1913. It is called San Mamés, but is popularly known as "La Catedral" (the Cathedral). Review © 2007, Wcities |
Athletic Club de Bilbao headquarters |
Alameda Mazarredo, 23 Bilbao, Vizcaya 48009 +34 (0)944 24 0877 |
Built in 1920 by Gregorio Ibarreche, the Palacio de Ibaigane, houses one of the most loved and followed institutions in Vizcaya: the headquarters of the hundred-year-old Athletic Club de Bilbao. Initially intended to be the La Sota family's residence, and later to house the Vizcayan Military Government, today this building in the style of the palaces of the first Baroque, holds within its walls the secrets of the football club supported by thousands of Vizcayans. On its facade, notice the outstanding and popularly inspired architectural motifs, whose main characteristics are the framework of exposed brick, a short-arched entrance and the gables of the many projections. The trophies hall can be visited. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
Modernist Historic-Artistic monument |
Alameda de Rekalde, 34 Bilbao 48009 |
Declared an Historic-Artistic monument, this building, constructed between 1901-1904, is popularly known as "Casa de Gaudí" on account of its resemblance to the Catalan artist's work. In its striking facade, there are many bay windows on the corner of the building with ledges in carved stone and wrought iron. Its four habitable apartments are today living quarters and offices. There are other buildings in Bilbao with similar architectural features, such as the Campos Eliseos theatre and the Ricardo Bastida wash-houses. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: ElCaminodeSantiago092006 |
 Photo: pablo_herranz |
Medieval attraction in Muskiz |
Municipalite de San Martin Muskiz 48550 |
This rural castle in the medieval military style is situated in the San Martín district of the Muskiz municipality. Surrounded by a landscape of fields and marshes, the Muñatones castle was declared an Historic-Artistic monument in 1944 and was acquired four years later by the Statutory Deputation of Vizcaya which made itself responsible for is restoration. In 1968 the palace next to it was handed over to the State to be converted into a state-run hotel. Years later the oil company Petronor acquired the properties and took responsibility for their conservation. The castle's image corresponds fundamentally with that of a medieval fortification occupied during its beginnings by the Muñatones family and later by the Salazars. Among its main features stands out the exterior wall fitted with battlements whose main purpose was defensive. Its tower, today in a state of ruin, is large and solid, with 75 metres of 3-metre-thick wall remaining. This medieval fortress in the Somorrostro valley is well worth a visit. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
Beautiful palace in residential area |
Campo Volantín, 37 Bilbao 48007 |
It is situated in one of the best known residential districts of Bilbao: the Paseo del Campo Volantín alongside the estuary. Built by the architect Julián de Zubizarreta in 1894, this palace was the residence during the 1950's for the family of José María de Olábarri, an important businessman of the time. It is an admirable building in which French and English influences meet, as, for example, in its floor designed in an L shape, with noteworthy interior proportions. It was also occupied by the British Institute and since 1953 has been the headquarters of the Puerto Autónomo de Bilbao (Bilbao's Port Authority). Review © 2007, Wcities |
Magnificent and noble building |
Gran Via, 45 Bilbao 48011 |
In Gran Vía, between Plaza Moyúa and Sagrado Corazón, is a grand structure built in 1919 and occupied by the Sota family during its early days. One striking features this magnificent building has (an early example of luxurious residential architecture in 19th Century Bilbao) is its facade, with towers, arched galleries, pronounced eaves, turrets and pinnacles. It is a clear example of the regionalist tendencies and mountain influences that are evident in its creator's earlier work, the Atxuri station. Social drawing rooms and rooms formerly designed as family quarters are today partly used to house various offices. On the ground floor of the building are several important fashion outlets. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
The best municipal services |
Pelota, 10 Bilbao 48005 |
Built in 1927, basically in the Baroque style, this urban palace adapts its trapezoidal floor to a corner of what was the old wall surrounding the old quarter. Refurbished by the architects, Pedro María Basañez and Alberto Sanz after its acquisition by the Council of Bilbao, in the interior what stands out is the free design of the levels, twisting around a small central triangular courtyard which becomes the main feature of the building. Among the many services offered today by this civic centre are the Women's Centre, the Environment Centre, the congress and exhibition halls. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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