Bilbao is the capital of the province of Biscay in Basque Country. It is on the north coast of Spain, right near the Bay of Biscay, making it an important port city.
There is no agreement on where the name "Bilbao" comes from, but theories range from a corruption of "bella vado" (beautiful river crossing) to a combination of billa (Basque for stacking) and "vaho" (Spanish for mist or steam) because of the stacked appearance of the buildings and the mist rising from the river. The area has been populated since ancient times, with ruins dating to the 11th century. In 1602 it was made the capital of Biscay (previously the capital was Bermeo) and has remained one of the top five ports in Spain.
The city's architecture ranges from castles and cathedrals in the "Old Town" to the Guggenheim Museum (above), which demonstrates the vitality of this beautiful city. It is still growing and changing and yet it retains its old world charm.Doesn't it seem like a nice place for a walk?
Does the Guggenheim look like a Sylvester McMonkey McBean creation to anyone else?
ReplyDeleteI agree. Of course, I think pretty much all of Frank Gehry's work is hideous. What does that man have against windows? And why does everything have to look *not* like a functional building?
ReplyDeleteTin Foil gone wild, was my thought. I do love the city. Beautiful river area. What is the weather like?
ReplyDeleteSince no one else has had the courage to say what seems like a no-brainer as far as geographical quasi-puns go - sounds like a place in Middle Earth rather than Northern Spain to me. Geeks rule!
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