Bilbao, in the Basque region of Spain, is a major seaport and industrial city located on an estuary leading to the Bay of Biscay. Most recently steel and iron making have been the major economic engine for Bilbao. The steel industry in Bilbao, like in the US and the rest of Europe, has fallen on hard times.
Fortunately Bilbao has been able to re-invent itself as a tourist destination. Opened in 1997, the Guggenheim Museum has helped transform the economy and save this wonderful old city. See my earlier post about the Guggenheim here.
In 2005 we had the opportunity to visit the Basque Country of Spain and our journey began in Bilbao. We were able to take a walking tour of the city before setting out on the rest of our tour of the country side. Over the next couple of posts I'll be offering some views of the city taken during that walking tour.
As you cross the river, leaving new Bilbao behind, and enter the "Old City" you view the old market place building and this beautiful old church. The Church of St. Anton was build about 1366 and is an appropriate welcome to the old section of town.
The neo-baroque, Joaquin Rucoba designed opera house, el Teatro Arriaga, was built in 1890 and is an important part of the culture of Bilbao. The unusual flag flying in front of the building is the banner of the Basque Autonomous Region. The flag is the symbol of Basque nationalism and many of the people consider themselves Basque rather than Spanish.
When we arrived at the town square it was time for lunch. The Basque Country, like the rest of Spain, is full of Tapas bars. In the Basque country however the small plate fare are called Pintxos. Wonderful bite-size morsels often made with aged/cured ham, cheese or seafood. Just what the doctor ordered after a morning of walking and photography.
Come back next week for some more views of this great old city.
© 2010 Tim Marks all rights reserved
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