Sampling Spain - Bilbao

 

 Guggenheim

 The Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 1997.  Its exterior is clad with curved titanium panels, and this moat is about 25 feet above the level of the adjacent Nervion River.


The museum houses a spectacular collection of Richard Serra scupltures, but the balance of the exhibits didn't measure up to the building. 

The Guggenheim was our reason for going to Bilbao, but we found a much more graceful and attactrive city than the guidebooks had promised.
Campo Volantin Footbridge
 The Campo Valantin Footbridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava, and completed in 1997.  It crosses the Nervion River, about a half mile from the Guggenheim Museum.
Scene along the Nervion River
 The Nervion River carves Bilbao in half, and we are looking at the south bank of the river, more or less across from the Guggenheim.  The north bank is the site of continuing renovation.
Subdelegacion del Gobierno
 This is a government building, identified as Subdelegación del Gobierno.  We first came on it from behind, and decided it was important because it was guarded by soldiers carrying assault rifles.  It faces Plaza Moyúa.
Plaza Moyua
 Another view of Plaza Moyúa.  This is one of three notable plazas along Bilbao's nearest equivalent of La Rambla, the Gran Via de D. Diego Lopez de Haro.  That is the guy who started the city of Bilbao.

 Street in Old Town

 This street, Bidebarrieta, is in the old part of the town, where the streets are narrow and crooked.  It leads to the Catedral de Santiago, visible in the distance.

 Old Train Station

 This is the facade of the Santander train station, the older of two in Bilbao.  The new station, Abando, has no facace to speak of, unless you count the Burger King signs next to its main door.

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