Route 2
Guggenheim – Plaza Moyua – Alameda Recalde
– Plaza de Toros – Parque Ametzola – Casco Viejo
In addition to the building itself, the Guggenheim Museum (1997, Frank Gehry)
has two interesting pieces of its permanent collection displayed on its outside
grounds: the “living” sculpture Puppy (1992, Jeff Koons), and
the metal spider “Mamá” (1999, Louise Borgoise).
We then walk to Plaza Moyua via Calle Iparraguirre, where we will find the
following buildings:
1. Palacio de Chavarri (Eclecticism, 1894, Paul Hankar and Anastasio de Anduiza)
2. Casa de Sota (Eclecticism, 1919, Manuel María de Smith)
3. Hotel Carlton (Eclecticism, 1926, Manuel María de Smith)
4. Palacio de la Diputación Foral (Eclecticism, 1900, Luis Aladrén)
5. Casa Montero (Art Nouveau, 1901, Luis Aladrén)
Plaza Moyua is also an opportunity to visit Bilbao Metro (1995, Norman Foster),
first, its iconic entrances known as Fosteritos. Inside, the station gives
an unusual sense of amplitude and luminosity. We continue along Alameda Recalde,
towards La Alhóndiga (Eclecticism, 1909, Ricardo Bastida), the old
central wine warehouse, which is undergoing a major renovation by designer
Philipe Starck, to become a leisure and cultural centre.
Alameda Recalde will also take us to Bilbao´s bull ring, the Plaza de
Toros (on Neo-moorish influence, 1962, Luis M Gana), which holds the Museo
Taurino. Those truely interested in Bilbao´s new developments, can walk
to Plaza Ametzola and visit its park and train station.
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