Bilbao city guide 2017 ENG

B I L B A O

C I T Y B R E A K G E TA WAY S

B A S Q U E C O U N T RY

VIZCAYA Bridge Suspension Bridge

The importance of the Ría is also underlined by the numerous bridges that span it The Deusto Bridge has been a key part of the transformation of the new city, passing the baton on to the Euskalduna Bridge . The famous Euskalduna shipyards were based in this area, which has gone on to give its name to the new Congress and Music Centre , declared one of the world's best conference centres in 2003. Moreover, you can experience one of the best operas on the European circuit here. As a tribute to the former shipyards, one of its cranes has been preserved on one of the drydocks: ‘Carola', which serves as a reminder to the people of the city of their origins as an industrial and naval city. Alongside, you'll see the Maritime Museum, which showcases the naval history of the Ría of Bilbao and its surroundings. The San Antón Bridge forms part of the city's coat of arms and is believed to predate the founding of the city itself. La Ribera and La Merced Bridge belong to ‘historic Bilbao'. Then came the Arenal Bridge , which marked the expansion of Bilbao to the Ensanche district. The industrial activity of the era made it necessary for some of the bridges to ‘raise' for heavy cargo ships to pass. These drawbridges have now been sealed.

FROM ABOVE One reason not to miss the 'Vizcaya Bridge' is the reputation it holds, as well as being declared a UNESCO Momument of Humanity in 2006.

Its construction, which is an iron structure that takes the Eiffel Tower as its inspiration, links Portugalete and Las Arenas (Getxo). It marks the end of the Ría of Bilbao, a few metres from its mouth into the Cantabrian Sea. FROM BELOW

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