Bilbao. Guide for Bilbao

Bilbao - La Salve Bridge

Works of John Fuller of the early seventies with the aim of achieving a quick exit Begoña Bilbao to the side of Artxanda. Its functionality was completed with the opening of Artxanda tunnels, and its image improved when it was installed with the Museum Guggenheim , providing a shortcut.

The last step in the integration of the bridge with the museum came in October 2007 with the project by Daniel Buren, winner of artistic intervention in the La Salve Bridge, convened to mark the tenth anniversary of the Guggenheim. The French work of Daniel Buren, entitled Arcos Rojos, covered with a bright red coating the pillars of hanging straps that hold the bridge, forming an arc. The play wins more striking at night, thanks to dynamic lighting systems.

Bilbao - La Salve Bridge at night

The name of the bridge comes from the Place de la Salve, located on the right bank. The square got its name because it was the point whose height, the sailors of the ships that went through the estuary, except when praying one could see the Basilica of Begoña.

El Arenal is near the Siete Calles the heart of Bilbao. In fact, the Arenal is considered the best access point to the Casco Viejo of Bilbao, especially if coming from the Plaza Circular through the Arenal bridge, allowing us to observe some of the most emblematic buildings in Bilbao.

Origins of Arenal (Bilbao)

Arenal name from the place where once the river deposited sands, forming an ancient beach which stretched from the right bank of the river to where now stands the Archaeological Museum. It was a very old used by fishermen to beach their boats Bilbao. With the passage of time and the progressive gain of the tidal terrreno made ​​in the fifteenth century, Arenal was already the center of Bilbao. It was also the venue of political events and holidays. In addition, permitted in 1483 appeared the first extension of Bilbao, through the suburbs of fomración Ascao and St. Nicholas, and centuries later the existing streets and Bidebarrieta Mail.

The Arenal is the third bridge that crossed the bed (the first was the bridge of San Antón and the second suspension bridge of San Francisco). The Arenal bridge was built in 1847 and was initially named Isabel II bridge. The Arenal bridge project was very important for the time he was done, and that allowed Bilbao to communicate the old with the new area Abando.

Like many other buildings in Bilbao, suffered the consequences of war and was destroyed twice. Crossing the Arenal bridge you can see the Teatro Arriaga , Feve station and the "Skyscraper of Bilbao".

Photo of Arenal and Arenal Bridge (Bilbao)

The Zubizuri ("White Bridge") is a bridge linking Volantín Field (right bank) with Uribarte (left side). If anything makes the Zubizuri not another bridge in Bilbao, is a spectacular design by architect Santiago Calatrava and has gained popularly nicknamed "Calatrava Bridge."

The Zubizuri was inaugurated on May 30, 1997, at about the time the Guggenheim and quickly became a tourist attraction in the city of Bilbao since its arched glass floor and not indifferent to those who walk by the river.

Overview of Zubizuri

Zubizuri glass floor (Bilbao)