Bilbao: A walk by the Old Town

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The Arriaga Theatre (Bilbao)

The Arriaga Theatre of Eclectical style is, without any doubt, based on the Opera of Paris, its interior is magnificent decorated. Now is an important cultural centre. San Nicolas’ Church, Barroque, with its two twin towers, stands in front of the Arriaga Theatre.

From San Nicolas’ Church, we arrive at the New Square, with a XVIIIth century arcade. By the lateral, we go to Correo Street, the most commercial in the Old Town. Towards the Cathedral, we turn first street on the left, Sombrerería, and through it we arrive to Miguel de Unamuno Square, in its centre stands a monument to this writer and philosopher from Bilbao.

From Miguel de Unamuno Square, we continue our walk through María Muñoz Street, as far as the Basque Museum of Archaelogy, Ethnography and History, in the Old Jesuit School, from the XVIIth century. It shelters interesting Archaeological, Ethnographical and Historical collections of The Basque Country. Leaving the museum we find the Santos Juanes’ Church, old temple of the Jesuit School, in classic style. Next to the Santos Juanes’ Church there’s the Portal of Zamudio, called that way because in that place the Gate of the Old Walls which lead to the road to Zamudio was placed. Through this Portal we go into the old primitive town or Siete Calles (Seven Streets), as the inhabitants of Bilbao call the Old Town.

The walk follows through Somera Street to arrive at the old San Anton’s Church, next to the ría is a mixture of Ghotic and Renaissance styles. In the outside the elegant and graceful Barroque tower stands out. The adjoining San Anton’s Bridge is from 1878. On the right of the church, the monumental Ribera’s Market.

From San Anton’s Church, we go on with our walk towards Achuri Neighbourhood. On the left, we find the Antiguo Hospital of Neoclassic style and with the main stairs from the begining of last century. Forward, two excellent modern buildings García Rivero School and Basque Railways Station, in a Regional style. In the centre of Atxuri Neighbour-good we find the La Encarnación’ Square, with the church and the monastery of the same name, from the XVIth century.

We follow Ribera Street under the arcade, as far as Belosticalle Street through which we go into up to the atrium of the Santiago’s Cathedral is an Historic Artistic Monument and its first style is Ghotic. The enormous domed porch is typical of Basque churches. The Ghotic façade open to this porch is very interesting. In Correo Street, we find the exterior entry to the cloister, with the façade know as of the Angel. From the Cathedral
Square our journey goes on by Tower Street, at the end there is an important building, Los Vargas Palace, known as La Bolsa. In the Perro Street the popular Fountain of the Perro is placed. In Bidebarrieta Street two interesting buildings, Los Mazarredos’ Palace and the Town Library, in a beautiful palace, former head office of the Sitio Society.

Finally we arrive again at the Arenal Walk in front of the Arriaga Theatre, and we finish our journey where we started it.