The precise origins of Bilbao have not been determined. However, a settlement had already been established and had significantly developed on both banks of the "ría del Nervión" before it officially became a villa. It was Don Diego López de Haro V, lord of Vizcaya, who gave the city its title in the year 1300, due to its great importance as a commercial and maritime centre at the time. The singular location of the city allowed it to continue growing. The maritime business developed rapidly, whilst the original population spread out on both sides of the river. The commercial exchanges fuelled the cultural enrichment of the city. Today Bilbao is a dynamic city, full of amenities and focused on environmental and urban regeneration. With its lands freed from the old industrial settlements, the city is now undergoing a new physical transformation.
Transportation in Bilbao
By Car: Northern Spain features excellent road connections. Bilbao is 3 hours from Zaragoza, 4 hours from Madrid and 6 hours from Barcelona.
By Train: Two kinds of trains depart from Bilbao: Short and Long Distance Trains.
There are many long distance lines departing from Abando Station to different destinations, among which the following are included: A Coruña-Vigo, Alicante, Barcelona, Burgos, Logroño-Zaragoza, Madrid, Málaga, Miranda de Ebro and Valladolid-Salamanca.
By Ferry: The port of Bilbao is the largest ferry port in Spain and as well as being the countries 6th largest city, it is the destination of the P&O cruise ferries from one of the main ferry ports in the UK - Portsmouth.
There are many sights to visit whilst in Bilbao, the most famous of these being the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by world-famous architect, Frank Gehry. It has been described as one of the most wonderful buildings of our times. Exhibitions change quite regularly but whatever may be on display when you visit the building itself will always be the one thing that you remember! St. James Cathedral honours St. James, Bilbao's official patron saint since 1643. Built at the end of the 14 th century in Gothic style, it has three naves with triforium and ambulatory. The Gothic cloisters are small but beautifully designed. The building became a cathedral in 1949. Its tower and main façade, in Neogothic style, were designed by Severino de Achúcarro and finished in 1887. The Sacred Art Museum is situated in the Convento de la Encarnación (Encarnación Nunnery) it exhibits a wide range of Basque sacred artworks ranging from Romanesque to contemporary styles, including a magnificent silver collection. The Riverside Market features an eclectic style and a beautiful architecture with outstanding windows. It was designed by Pedro de Ispizua y Susunaga, who came from Bermeo. La Encarnación Church and Nunnery is an old Dominican nunnery that was built in the early 16th century. It has a Gothic interior and a Renaissance entrance.
