Paris1972-Versailles2003

I like to tell you again about my road warrior trails in my dear Spain. Again, found me some older paper pictures of wonderful Bilbao, glad I did find it and will need to show it to the world, I like to do justice to the place and give you an introduction, Therefore, here is my take on this is Bilbao !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Bilbao (Bilbo) is the Capital of the province of Biscay and the Comarque of the Grand Bilbao. It is the most important city of the autonomous community of the Basque Country (Euskadi). It is located at the coastal river estuary. a port city surrounded by green mountains, The city of Bilbao is connected to the international road network with the AP-8 leading to Saint-Sébastien and France (yes!) to the East, Santander then the Asturias to the west. Towards the south the AP-68 highway allows you to reach Vitoria-Gasteiz, Pamplona, ​​Burgos, Madrid, and Zaragoza. Bilbao International Airport (Loiu International Airport) is the main airport, The Ferry Cap Finistère from the Brittany Ferries Company connects Santurtzi (15 km from the city where the current Bilbao port) in Portsmouth (UK) is located , also stopover in Roscoff in Brittany. Renfe Operadora: The company operates the main city station there, the Abando train station. From this station leave the main lines operated by the company serving the city. Also, Euskotran ; the Basque government railway company operates 3 narrow lines that serve Atxuri station. And FEVE ; the Spanish company operates the Bilbao-Balmaseda regional track line and the Bilbao-Santander interregional line. It uses the Concordia train station which is attached to the Renfe Abando train station, fyi me always by car by here, My fav is the Parking Arenal Casco Viejo Paseo del Arenal, near all that is needed.

The Plaza Nueva is in the heart of the old district of Bilbao (casco viejo). It has a neoclassical style and has a rectangular shape with 18 arcs on both sides and 15 on the other two.It has an area of ​​3,400 meters and was inaugurated in 1851. Sundays, a market day for the public and collectors. Nice!

The Plaza de Federico Moyúa, or Plaza Elíptica as the inhabitants of Bilbao call it, was built in the decade of the 1940s, renovated in 1997, the square retains its original elliptical form and the English and French style parterres, in Incorporating modern steel and functional benches as new elements. The iconic original fountain has also been renovated. Thanks to all this, the inhabitants continue to perceive it as one of their favorite meeting points. Métro Moyùa signed by the architect Norman Foster, he has become a real symbol of the city,

The Church of San Antón built in Gothic style at the end of the 15C, the church is not the oldest in Bilbao, but one of the most typical. Located on the banks of the river, very close to the Ribera market (1930) and the old City/town hall, its history is intimately linked to that of the city, so much so that it is drawn next to the bridge that bears the same name in the city’s armor. Almost three hundred years before the installation of the first church there was a freight warehouse built on a rock next to the river on which passed the caravans loaded with wool from Castile, as well as a small port. When in 1300 Don Diego López de Haro granted the charter of the city, in the city, the old warehouse was integrated into the city, delimited by a robust wall which served as protection against invasions and floods. The foundations for this wall have been excavated and are always visible in the part of the altar, where you will also see remains of the frontispiece of the first church. Remains of the old cemetery of the interior of the church from its origins in the 19C were also restored. The main porch, in the Renaissance style, was done in 1544 , and the bell tower, Baroque style, done in 1775.

Some other interesting things to see here , me think are the Guggenheim museum, designed by Frank Gehry; The opening of this museum in 1997 revitalized the city. The museum exhibits famous works of modern and contemporary art, but it is the building that shelters the most attention because of its curves and its titanium coating , It is one of the two museums of The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. The museum was built between October 1993 and October 1997 ,the inauguration of the museum and the opening to the public took place on October 18, 1997, in the presence of King Juan Carlos I of Spain, with an exhibition of 250 works of contemporary art. Traditional paintings and sculptures are in the minority compared to less academic arts. The museum exhibitions often change ,like four to six different exhibitions per year, and are very eclectic, ranging from the history of Chinese or Russian art to modern and contemporary art of the 20C and 21C. Also, the Cathedral Saint James , and a minor basilica, Its probable origin dates back to the city’s foundation around 1300 ; the cathedral is dedicated to Saint-James because it is on one of the paths of the pilgrimage of Saint-James de Compostela. It obtained the title of minor basilica in 1819, before becoming the cathedral of the diocese of Bilbao in 1950.

The Casco Viejo or Las Siete Calles which are Somera, Artecalle, Tendería, Belosticalle, Carnicería Vieja, Barrencalle and Barrencalle Barrena is the oldest neighborhood and the nucleus originally in Bilbao. It is part of the district of Ibaiondo, and hosts the Plaza Nueva and emblematic buildings such as the Arriaga Theater, the Bidebarrieta Library, the Stock Exchange, the Atxuri Station, the Cathedral of Santiago and the churches of San Antón, San Nicolás and Santos Juanes. Its commercial strength is reflected in about 500 establishments, where the Ribera market stands out, the largest covered market of Europe. The environment closest to the Guggenheim Museum and which flows into the Plaza Euskadi, where the Iberdrola Tower, the new city business center is located. The streets of Mazarredo, Elcano, Iparraguirre, Ajuriaguerra, Heros, Barranincua y Alameda Rekalde constitute this “artistic district.” This space presents a varied commercial offer with fashion designer stores, very diverse trade, but stands out as an area with a large number of galleries and exhibition rooms, art bookstores, gift products, antiques in addition to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Sala Rekalde,

Large urban planning programs are engaged and an ambitious public equipment policy is launched the largest world signatures bring their paw: that of the Guggenheim museum drawn by Frank Gehry, the airport and the Santiago Calatrava bridge, the Palacio Euskalduna in 1999, At the location of the former Euskalduna shipyards, the tram (Euskotran) in 2002 or the Iberdrola tower in 2004, Bilbao thus received the prize for the best urban project in the world, during the Venice Biennale (Prize “Città d ‘ Acqua ”) as well as the European Prix for Urban and Regional Planning. In 2013, the Pfizer Foundation awarded it the price of “the healthiest Spanish city”. Bilbao also chairs the International Association of Cities and Ports. The city of Bilbao is divided into 8 Districts ,the most needed by tourists , me think are the 4th: Begoña; and the 5th Zazpi Kaleak / Casco Viejo.

The City of Bilbao on its heritage : https://www.bilbao.eus/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1279141321812&language=en&pageid=1279141321812&pagename=Bilbaonet%2FPage%2FBIO_detallePagina

The Euskadi- basque country tourist office on Bilbao : https://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/top10/towns/bilbao/webtur00-recursostop/en/

The Bilbao tourist office : https://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/tourists

The Biscay regional tourist office on Bilbao : https://www.visitbiscay.eus/en/city

There you go folks, another wonderful spot in my road warrior trails of my dear Spain, This is architecture, history and a lot more ; one of the gems of Bilbao, worth the detour , me think, Again, hope you enjoy this unique post on this is Bilbao !!! as I

And remember, happy travels , good health and many cheers to all !!!