Bilbao's history dates back to Roman times, although the city did not begin to prosper until the Middle Ages, when it became an important commercial and port centre in northern Spain. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Bilbao became one of the most prosperous cities in Spain thanks to its wool and iron trade.
typical bilbao tile
A view of bilbao in a former cloistered convent, now a school.
Carousel in the park of doña casilda
stairs on the bridge of deusto.
Tower of the church of San Nicolas
In the 19th century, the city underwent a great change thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Factories were built and the steel industry developed, leading to rapid growth and transformation of the city. Bilbao became one of Spain's leading industrial cities, attracting workers from all over the country.
Tonetti Sculpture by the Bilbain sculptor Juan Luis de Larrinaga (1923-2006)
Grua Carola, the last crane in Bilbao, placed next to the maritime museum.
El Tigre Building, built in 1940 for the company Correas El Tigre, the tiger statue was placed in 1942
However, in the 1970s, Bilbao's economy began to decline due to the economic crisis and international competition. The city became a grey and depressed place, with high unemployment and a general feeling of abandonment.
Arenal bandstand is the work of the Bermeo-born architect Pedro Ispizua.
The Begoña Lift was commissioned by the Aranguren family, built in 1943 by the architect Rafael Fontán to bridge the difference in level between the El Arenal neighbourhood and the Old Quarter of Bilbao, the lift is no longer in use.
Estuary of Bilbao and the Uribitarte promenade on the other side with the Isozaki towers in the background
Estuary of Bilbao and the Arenal promenade on the other side with the Ovoid Variant sculpture by Jorge Oteiza (1908-2003).
Estuary of Bilbao and the Campo Volantín promenade on the other side
In the 1980s, the city decided to transform itself through an ambitious urban renewal plan that included the construction of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry. The museum opened in 1997 and became a global success, attracting tourists from all over the world and turning Bilbao into a modern, cosmopolitan city. Today, Bilbao is a thriving and vibrant city, which has managed to maintain its rich culture and historical heritage while transforming itself into a modern and attractive city for visitors.
