Parque Casilda Iturrizar (Casilda Iturrizar Park), Bilbao
Lady Casilda Iturrizar Park, often called the 鈥済reen lung鈥� of Bilbao, owes its creation to the generosity of Lady Casilda, a wealthy widow and philanthropist remembered for sharing her fortune with the city. After her death in 1900, part of her legacy funded the development of the park, which opened in 1907 on land she donated. At the time, it was Bilbao鈥檚 only true green space, offering much-needed relief from the rapid growth of the industrial city.
Designed in the romantic style of the early 20th century, the park followed the model of an English garden. Many of its trees, now over a century old, still stand today. Its most famous feature is the duck pond, home to water birds and peacocks, which earned the park the nickname 鈥淒uck鈥檚 Park.鈥� The layout included wide avenues, flowerbeds, and ornamental fountains, as well as a cybernetic fountain surrounded by a shaded pergola. Over time, statues, monuments, and pavilions were added, turning the park into a civic as well as recreational landmark.
The park soon became a favorite meeting place for locals. Families, couples, and students made use of its shaded corners and lawns, while festivals and concerts brought cultural life to its open-air stage. Located beside the Fine Arts Museum and the Euskalduna Palace, the park became closely linked with Bilbao鈥檚 cultural institutions.
Although the park lost some land in the 20th century due to construction and roads, later redevelopment projects restored its appeal. Today, Lady Casilda Park remains one of Bilbao鈥檚 best-loved spaces, combining natural beauty, leisure, and history while honoring the legacy of the woman who gave it to the city.
Designed in the romantic style of the early 20th century, the park followed the model of an English garden. Many of its trees, now over a century old, still stand today. Its most famous feature is the duck pond, home to water birds and peacocks, which earned the park the nickname 鈥淒uck鈥檚 Park.鈥� The layout included wide avenues, flowerbeds, and ornamental fountains, as well as a cybernetic fountain surrounded by a shaded pergola. Over time, statues, monuments, and pavilions were added, turning the park into a civic as well as recreational landmark.
The park soon became a favorite meeting place for locals. Families, couples, and students made use of its shaded corners and lawns, while festivals and concerts brought cultural life to its open-air stage. Located beside the Fine Arts Museum and the Euskalduna Palace, the park became closely linked with Bilbao鈥檚 cultural institutions.
Although the park lost some land in the 20th century due to construction and roads, later redevelopment projects restored its appeal. Today, Lady Casilda Park remains one of Bilbao鈥檚 best-loved spaces, combining natural beauty, leisure, and history while honoring the legacy of the woman who gave it to the city.
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Parque Casilda Iturrizar (Casilda Iturrizar Park) on Map
Sight Name: Parque Casilda Iturrizar (Casilda Iturrizar Park)
Sight Location: Bilbao, Spain (See walking tours in Bilbao)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bilbao, Spain (See walking tours in Bilbao)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bilbao, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Bilbao
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bilbao is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bilbao's Old Town Walking Tour
Bilbao's old town, also known as The Seven Streets, is the medieval heart of the city. Indeed, this ancient neighborhood, a place where the city began and which had been fortified by walls until the late 19th century, today consists of seven main streets and many narrow alleys 鈥� called cantons (kantoi, cant贸n) 鈥� that connect them.
Often regarded as a jewel of Basque architecture and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Often regarded as a jewel of Basque architecture and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Bilbao Introduction Walking Tour
Officially founded in 1300 AD by the Lord of Biscay, Bilbao began as a small port settlement. Its sheltered estuary allowed ships to load wool, iron, and other goods bound for northern Europe, while merchants imported salt, wine, and luxury items. The name "Bilbao" likely comes from the Basque words bil, meaning "settlement," and bao, meaning "estuary"-a fitting... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles