Greater
Bilbao
The river has been the centre of Bilbao of economic development since its
origin. The wealth brought by the mining, steel and shipping industries of
the XIX and XX centuries expanded the city´s influence to both sides
of the river up to El Abra, and developing a radial railroad network with
Bilbao at its centre. This urban-industrial continuum came to be known as
the Greater Bilbao.
The area, from Galdakao inland to the sea, brings together a number of villages
and towns each with their own individual character. Getxo on the right bank,
and specifically the Las Arenas district, became the first summer retreat
for the high bourgeoisie two hundred years ago. Here we find the old Igeretxe
spa, now a hotel and restaurant, as well as Algorta´s Old Port with
its traditional fishermen´s houses. On the left bank are the traditional
villages of Portugalete and Santurtzi, birthplace of generations of fishermen
and seafarers, as well as the smaller villages of Somorrostro and Ziérbena,
near the border with the Cantabria region. It is also worth mentioning Barakaldo
and the neighbouring Sestao and Trapaga, the heart of the Basque Country´s
(and indeed Spain´s) industrialization, with their high ovens, mines
and ship-builiding yards.
+ info: www.bilbao.net
www.guiabizkaia.com
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