Editing Bilbao (section)

== Cityscape ==
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{{wide image|Bilbao cityview from Monte Artxanda (España 2019) (33853014808).jpg|800px|A panoramic view of Bilbao taken from [[Mount Artxanda]]}}
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=== Urban planning ===
[[File:Casco viejo.jpg|thumb|The Old Town]]
[[File:Bilbao-07.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|The Gothic St. James Cathedral]]
In its beginnings, Bilbao only had three streets (''Somera'', ''Artecalle'', and ''Tendería'') surrounded by walls located where Ronda street now stands. Inside this enclosure, there was a small [[hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitage]] dedicated to the Apostle [[James, son of Zebedee|Saint James]] (the current [[Bilbao Cathedral|St. James' Cathedral]]), which pilgrims visited on their [[Way of St. James|way to]] [[Santiago de Compostela]]. In the fifteenth century, four more streets were built, forming the original ''[[Zazpikaleak]]'' or "Seven Streets".<ref>[[#tus04|Tusell 2004]]: 19</ref> In 1571, after several floods and a major fire in 1569, the walls were demolished in order to allow the expansion of the town.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/atlas_vasconia/biz/es/00530106es.pdf | publisher = euskomedia.org | title = El espacio público de la villa de Bilbao | author1 = Arizaga Balumburu, Beatriz | author2 = Martínez Martínez, Sergio | name-list-style = amp | access-date = 17 September 2008 | archive-date = 25 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110725134335/http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/atlas_vasconia/biz/es/00530106es.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

In 1861, engineer Amado Lázaro projected an ''[[ensanche]]'' inside the then-municipality of [[Abando]] with wide avenues and regular buildings, that included the hygienists ideas of the time. The project was mostly based on [[Barcelona]]'s ''[[Eixample]]'', designed by [[Ildefons Cerdà]].<ref name="urban">{{cite web | url = http://www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/1116/122862 | title = Bilbao (Urbanismo, siglos XIX y XX) | publisher = euskomedia.org | access-date = 8 October 2010 | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021100706/http://www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/1116/122862 | url-status = live }}</ref> However, the project was dropped by the [[Bilbao City Council]] after considering it "utopian and excessive" because of its high cost, though of great quality. Furthermore, Lázaro had calculated the demographic growth of the town was based on the previous three centuries, a provision that eventually would not conform to reality.<ref name="urban"/><ref>[[#mon00|Montero 2000]]: 45</ref>

The next large urban change in Bilbao would come in 1876, when the capital [[annexation|annexed]] (in several stages) the neighbouring municipality of Abando. The new ''ensanche'' project was planned by a team made of architect Severino de Achúcarro and engineers Pablo de Alzola (elected Mayor that same year), and Ernesto de Hoffmeyer. Unlike Lázaro's, this project was significantly smaller, compassing {{convert|1.58|km2|abbr=on}} against the original {{convert|2.54|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="urban"/> It also featured a not so strict [[grid pattern]], a park to separate the industrial and residential areas and the [[Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro]], the main thoroughfare, where many relevant buildings were located, such as the Biscay provincial government hall or the BBVA Tower. By the end of the 1890s, this widening was half completed and already filled, so a new extension was planned by Federico Ugalde.<ref name="urban"/>

By 1925, the municipalities of [[Deusto]] and [[Begoña]], as well as part of [[Erandio]] were annexed, and in 1940, the remaining part of Erandio became part of Bilbao. The last annexation took place in 1966, with the municipalities of [[Loiu]], [[Sondika]], [[Derio]], and [[Zamudio]]. This made Bilbao larger than ever, with {{convert|107|km2|abbr=on}}. However, all these municipalities, with the exception of Deusto and Begoña regained their independence on 1 January 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_c?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03J&DOCN=000030346&CONF=/config/k54/bopv_c.cnf |title=BOE del País Vasco |publisher=[[Basque Government]] |access-date=17 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002082844/http://www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_c?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03J&DOCN=000030346&CONF=%2Fconfig%2Fk54%2Fbopv_c.cnf |archive-date=2 October 2013  }}</ref>

On 18 May 2010, the government of Singapore awarded Bilbao the [[Lee Kuan Yew]] World City Prize, at the [[World Cities Summit]] 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/inaugural.htm | title = Bilbao City Hall tops 78 nominations to clinch the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize | publisher = Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize | access-date = 9 December 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100724160440/http://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/inaugural.htm | archive-date = 24 July 2010 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> It is considered the [[Pritzker Prize|Pritzker]] of [[urbanism]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100519/vizcaya/medalla-certificado-euros-premio-20100519.html | title = Medalla de oro, certificado y 176.000 euros de premio | work = El Correo | date = 19 May 2010 | access-date = 9 December 2010 | archive-date = 23 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100523202554/http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100519/vizcaya/medalla-certificado-euros-premio-20100519.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Architecture ===
{{main category|Buildings and structures in Bilbao}}
[[File:Bilbao_-_Calle_Ercilla_esquina_calle_Col%C3%B3n_de_Larre%C3%A1tegui_1.jpg|thumb|Typical late-19th-century architecture of Bilbao]]
[[File:Bilbao - Zubizuri 07.jpg|thumb|left|[[Isozaki Atea]] and the Zubizuri footbridge, symbols of the city's transformation]]
Bilbao's buildings display a variety of architectural styles, ranging from [[Gothic architecture|gothic]], [[Art Deco]], [[Art Nouveau]], [[Neo-Gothic]], and [[contemporary architecture]]. The [[Casco Viejo|Old Town]] features many of the oldest buildings in the city, as the [[Bilbao Cathedral|St. James' Cathedral]] or the [[Church of Saint Anthony the Great|Church of San Antón]], included in the borough's coat of arms. Most of the Old Town is a [[pedestrian zone]] during the day. Nearby is one of the most important religious temples of Biscay, the [[Basilica of Begoña]], dedicated to the patron saint of the province, [[Our Lady of Begoña]].

Seventeen bridges span the banks of the estuary inside the town's boundaries. Among the most interesting ones are the [[Zubizuri]] (Basque for "white bridge"), a pedestrian [[footbridge]] designed by [[Santiago Calatrava]] opened in 1997, and the [[La Salve|Princes of Spain Bridge]], also known as "La Salve", a [[suspension bridge]] opened in 1972 and redesigned by French [[concept art|conceptual artist]] [[Daniel Buren]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/programacion_artistica/nombre_exposicion_version_imprimible.php?idioma=en&id_exposicion=70 |title=Red Arches |publisher=Guggenheim Bilbao |date=20 October 2006 |access-date=10 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718025729/http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/programacion_artistica/nombre_exposicion_version_imprimible.php?idioma=en&id_exposicion=70 |archive-date=18 July 2011  }}</ref> The [[Deusto Bridge]] is a [[bascule bridge]] opened in 1936 and modelled after the [[Michigan Avenue Bridge]], in Chicago.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www2.deia.com/es/impresa/2008/04/23/bizkaia/herrialdeak/461574.php | title = El puente de Deusto afronta su primera reforma integral tras 70 años de servicio | newspaper = Deia | date = 23 April 2008 | access-date = 10 November 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110709011034/http://www2.deia.com/es/impresa/2008/04/23/bizkaia/herrialdeak/461574.php | archive-date = 9 July 2011 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Between 1890 and 1893 the first [[transporter bridge]] (''"[[Bizkaia Bridge|Puente Colgante]]"'') in the world on the [[Nervion]] river, between [[Portugalete]] and [[Getxo]], was built by [[Alberto Palacio]] (architect and engineer) together with his brother Silvestre.

Since the deindustrialization process started in the 1990s, many of the former industrial areas are being transformed into modern public and private spaces designed by several of the world's most renowned architects and artists. The main example is the [[Guggenheim Museum Bilbao|Guggenheim Museum]], located in what was an old dock and wood warehouse. The building, designed by [[Frank Gehry]] and inaugurated in October 1997, is considered among architecture experts as one of the most important structures of the last 30 years,<ref>{{cite news | last = Tyrnauer | first = Matt | title = Architecture in the Age of Gehry | url = http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all | access-date = 10 November 2010 | newspaper = [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] | date = 30 June 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101128123314/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all| archive-date= 28 November 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> and a masterpiece by itself.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lynnparr.co.uk/articles/Guggenheim.pdf |title=Perfect Space |last=Parr |first=Linda |newspaper=Artists & Illustrators |year=2007 |access-date=10 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302193838/http://www.lynnparr.co.uk/articles/Guggenheim.pdf |archive-date=2 March 2012  }}</ref> The museum houses part of the [[Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation]] modern art collection. Another example is the [[Azkuna Zentroa]], a wine warehouse built in 1909 and completely redesigned in 2010 by French designer [[Philippe Starck]] into a multi-purpose venue that consists of a cinema multiplex, a fitness centre, a library, and a restaurant, among other spaces.<ref name="description">{{cite web | url = http://www.alhondigabilbao.com/la-alhondiga-centro-de-ocio-y-cultura | title = The Alhóndiga, Culture | publisher = Alhóndiga Bilbao | access-date = 20 October 2010}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://info.elcorreo.com/bilbao/inauguracion-alhondiga/que-es/la-alhondiga-vuelve-a-la-vida/ | title = La nueva Alhóndiga | work=[[El Correo]] | access-date = 20 October 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100923193620/http://info.elcorreo.com/bilbao/inauguracion-alhondiga/que-es/la-alhondiga-vuelve-a-la-vida/| archive-date= 23 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The [[Abando]]ibarra area is also being renovated, and it features not only the Guggenheim Museum, but also [[Arata Isozaki]]'s [[Isozaki Atea|tower complex]], the [[Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall]] and the [[Iberdrola Tower]], designed by [[Argentine]] architect [[César Pelli]] which is, since its completion in 2011, the Basque Country's tallest skyscraper, {{convert|165|m}} high.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.torreiberdrola.es/edificio/proyecto/presentacion.php?idioma=en& |title=Presentation |publisher=Torre Iberdrola |access-date=10 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404092018/http://www.torreiberdrola.es/edificio/proyecto/presentacion.php?idioma=en& |archive-date=4 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Zorrozaurre]] is the next area to be redeveloped, following a 2007 master plan designed by [[Iraqi people|Iraqi]] architect [[Zaha Hadid]]. This peninsula was transformed into a {{convert|500000|m2|abbr=on}} island and will feature residential and commercial buildings, as well as the new [[Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa|BBK]] seat.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100204/vizcaya/seguira-quedando-claro-estilo-20100204.html | title = Seguirá quedando claro el estilo de Zaha Hadid | work = [[El Correo]] | access-date = 10 November 2010 | archive-date = 16 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085224/http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/v/20100204/vizcaya/seguira-quedando-claro-estilo-20100204.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
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=== Parks and gardens ===
[[File:Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, Bilbao, July 2010 (05).JPG|thumb|right|Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park]]
{{As of|2010}}, Bilbao has 18 [[public parks]] inside its limits, totalling {{convert|200|ha|abbr=on}} of green spaces. Furthermore its [[green belt]] has a total area of {{convert|1025|ha|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|119|ha|abbr=on}} are urbanized.<ref name="parks">{{cite web | url = http://www.bilbao.net/anilloverde/gran_recorrido/gran_recorrido.pdf | title = Ibilbide Luzea – Gran Recorrido | publisher = Bilbao City Council | access-date = 11 November 2010 | archive-date = 5 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100705024338/http://www.bilbao.net/anilloverde/gran_recorrido/gran_recorrido.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> The largest parks are [[Mount Cobetas]], of {{convert|18.5|ha|abbr=on}}, and Larreagaburu, of {{convert|12|ha|abbr=on}}, both located on the outskirts.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/pwegb010.jsp?idioma=i&color=rojo&textarea=3EE&subtema=10&padresub=3EE&tema=5EE&padre=*EE | title = Parques urbanos | publisher = Bilbao City Council | access-date = 11 November 2010}}{{dead link|date=April 2011}}</ref>

The [[Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park]] is located in the district of [[Abando]], near the town centre and covers an area of {{convert|8.5|ha|abbr=on}}. It is named after a local benefactress who donated the grounds to the borough. It is an [[English landscape garden|English-style garden]] designed by [[Ricardo Bastida]] and opened to the public in 1907. It features a dancing water fountain surrounded by a [[pergola]], and a pond with many species of ducks, geese and swans, which gives the park the alternate name of "Ducks' Park", as known locally. In recent years, it was expanded to be connected with the Abandoibarra area.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard.htm | title = Doña Casilda Park | publisher = Bilbao City Council | access-date = 12 November 2010 | archive-date = 12 August 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100812074712/http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> In [[Ibaiondo]], the [[Etxeberria Park]] was built in the 1980s in the place where a steel mill previously stood. The original chimney was maintained as a homage of its industrial past. It covers an area of {{convert|18.9|ha|abbr=on}}, on a sloped terrain that overlooks the Old Town.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard2.htm | title = Etxebarria Park | publisher = Bilbao City Council | access-date = 12 November 2010 | archive-date = 19 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719010110/http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard2.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Other relevant public spaces inside the city include the [[Europa Park (Bilbao)|Europa Park]], the [[Miribilla Park]], or the [[Memorial Walkway]], a {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} long walkway, with {{convert|12|m|abbr=on}} high lamps, located in the left bank of the estuary and that connects the main sights.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard3.htm | title = Memorial Walkway | publisher = Bilbao City Council | access-date = 12 November 2010 | archive-date = 19 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719010136/http://www2.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo/ingles/qhacer/ddpjard3.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[Mount Artxanda]] is easily accessible from the town centre by a [[Artxanda Funicular|funicular]]. There is a recreational area at the summit, with restaurants, a sports complex and a balcony with panoramic views. In the south, [[Pagasarri|Mount Pagasarri]] receives hundreds of [[hiking|hikers]] every weekend since the 1870s, who seek its natural wonders. Its environment is officially protected since 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bilbao.net/castella/obras/publicaciones/pagasarri/libro_completo.pdf | title = Pagasarri: Our closest mountain | publisher = Bilbao City Council | year = 2007 | access-date = 12 November 2010 | archive-date = 25 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110725130404/http://www.bilbao.net/castella/obras/publicaciones/pagasarri/libro_completo.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>