Another opportunity to explore Bilbao. I first went there 37 years ago when it was an important shipbuilding, engineering and fishing port. Today none of those seem to exist and it has transformed itself into a modern upbeat town. Such venues such as the Guggenheim have helped this transformation but a bit like Glasgow it has become an arty cultural centre.
Our first visit was to the renovated market building where in the mornings there are fish, meat and Vegetable markets and in the evenings a centre for bars, pinchos/tapas and restaurants.
The Cathedral de Santiago is in the middle of the Casco Viejo (old town) and was built in the 14 to 15th centuries. It’s simplicity is very appealing especially its altar which was revamped in 2000.
The old station was besides the river Nervion and reminds one of the Michelin building in London.
We got on the hop on hop off bus and just to prove it ……
The route took us past most of the buildings already shown but the new 53,000 seat football stadium was impressive and built in 2013 and hosted the European Rugby cup and will be a venue for the UEFA European Cup
Another example of some of their old architecture is the Council Town Hall which was built in 1919 but reflects the older architecture of the town.
And finally a bandstand built in a small park on the edge of old town.
Off to the north west coast tomorrow to a town called Gijon.