Page 128 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

126  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

1 Street-by-Street: Bilbao (Bilbo)

Bilbao’s casco viejo – the Old Town – emerged Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari
Built on an octagonal plan,
in the 14th century along the banks of the this Baroque church is
river. Here, amid lively streets, are the Gothic dedicated to the patron saint
Catedral de Santiago (St James) and other of sailors. The interior features
churches and museums. The famous Siete a beautiful reredos.
Calles (Seven Streets), from Barrenkale
Barrena to Somera, are the focal point,
busy with street life, lined with tapas bars
serving delicious food, and full of crowds
of boisterous locals every weekend. The
splendid 19th-century Plaza Nueva is
another hub of the Old Town.

S O M B R E R E R I A

C O R R E O

. Teatro Arriaga B I D E B A R R I E T A
Rich in ornamentation, this early
20th­century building is a symbol of the
Plaza de Arriaga (known as El Arenal). J A R D I N E S V I C T O R
A
R
E
B P E R R O L O T E R Í A T O R R E
I
R

Coat of arms A L
Visible on the S A N T A M A R I A
façades of the
ancient, often
richly decorated, B
Old Town houses P A R
are the imagina­ E R B A R R E N K A L E
tive coats of L E
N
O
arms of their T K E C H E V A R R Í A C A M A R Ó N
former owners. A A E B
L
Athletic Bilbao Football Club L A R I B E R A A R
R
Established in 1898, Athletic Bilbao is the oldest football (soccer) E N
club in the Basque Country. It is almost unique in top­flight A
European football in that only native R I A D E B I L B A O
Basques or players trained in the Basque
Country can play for the team. Athletic
Bilbao has always been in Spain’s top
league – it has won the title eight times,
the King’s Cup 24 times and the Super Cup
once. The team, also known as the rojiblancos
on account of their red and white 0 metres 50
strips, play at the San Mamés stadium. The badge of Athletic
Supporters queue for hours for tickets. Bilbao football club 0 yards 50
For hotels and restaurants see pp205–6 and pp219–21

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