Bilbao, from bridge to bridge

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The San Anton Bridge

Bilbao is many things but, first of all, Bilbao is its estuary and its bridges. The NerviOn Estuary witnessed the origin of the town and, nowadays, this element oxygenates and provides the backbone of the metropolis.

The San AntOn Bridge will be the starting point of a route on foot throughout the Bilbao that sticks out of the estuary. It could be no other way. It is the oldest bridge and, together with the Church of San Antón that is located beside it, it appears in the Bilbao coat of arms. This plain bridge was the first in joining both banks of the estuary. Like the 14th century church to which it is joined, it is actually devoted to San Antonio Abad.

We will take the right bank of the estuary in order to go near the enormous Ribera market, built in 1929, and pass over the Siete Calles (Seven Streets) that make up the Bilbao Old Quarter core. To the right, we will see the Ribera Bridge and the simple La Merced Bridge.

One of the most beautiful buildings in Bilbao, the Arriaga Theatre, will rise up before our eyes if we follow the curve the estuary traces. Inspired by the Paris Opera, most of the cultural activity in Bilbao is developed in this theatre, with an eclectic and elegant style. Pay attention to the Atlantes that hold the balconies.

Near the theatre, we will cross the estuary by the Arenal Bridge, always very busy, which is the heir of the bridge that, in the 19th century, joined the Historic Quarter and the Ensanche (Suburban development).

After walking through the recently developed promenade on this bank of the estuary, we will find the Ayuntamiento Bridge, through which we can access to the enhanced Bilbao Town Hall. In 1892, the architect Joaquín Rucoba built the eclectic Bilbao Town Hall over the ruins of the Convent of San AgustIn, looking towards the estuary. On its inside, the grand staircases, and the curious Arab Hall are outstanding.

The Campo de VolantIn promenade opens to the left of the Town Hall, in an area where the flying troops formerly manoeuvred. We will get near the most contemporary image of the city through it.

At the back, behind the La Salve Bridge, the amazing silhouette of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao appears. If we want to get to it, we should cross again the estuary through its most avant-garde bridge, the Zubi Zuri Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava. This footbridge, a work by Santiago Calatrava in an inclined arch shape, shows up due to its feeling of lightness. The Zubi Zuri (‘white bridge’ in Basque) shines specially at night.