Zubizuri (White Bridge), Bilbao (must see)
The Zubizuri, literally the 鈥淲hite Bridge鈥� in Basque, has been dividing opinions and delighting photographers since 1997. Also called the Campo Volant铆n Bridge, it was drawn up by Santiago Calatrava, Spain鈥檚 star architect with a taste for sculptural drama. At the time, Bilbao was desperate to shed its image as a soot-covered port and present itself as a city of design and culture. The bridge was one of the opening moves in that makeover, spanning the Nervi贸n River and linking Campo Volant铆n district with the Uribitarte district-an elegant shortcut for pedestrians heading toward the new Guggenheim Museum that would soon steal headlines worldwide.
The structure looks more like a piece of engineering theatre than a simple crossing. A sweeping white arch leans overhead, its thirty-nine cables holding a curved deck that measures 246 feet from end to end. Calatrava added a walkway paved with translucent glass tiles, hoping for a luminous effect at night. The idea worked visually, but less so underfoot; the glass proved treacherous in wet weather, leading to the addition of non-slip mats. The fix dulled some of the sparkle but ensured fewer lawsuits.
Controversy aside, the Zubizuri quickly became one of Bilbao鈥檚 defining images. Its clean lines and glowing presence at night have earned it countless appearances in travel guides, postcards, and amateur photo albums. Alongside the Guggenheim, it has come to symbolize the city鈥檚 1990s rebirth-what commentators call the 鈥淏ilbao Effect,鈥� when bold architecture was used to reboot civic pride and international reputation.
Crossing the Zubizuri today means more than moving from one bank to the other. It means stepping onto a stage set by a city intent on proving that modern infrastructure could double as public art. White steel, river views, and a touch of controversy all combine in a bridge that manages to be both a practical route and a statement of Bilbao鈥檚 ambition.
The structure looks more like a piece of engineering theatre than a simple crossing. A sweeping white arch leans overhead, its thirty-nine cables holding a curved deck that measures 246 feet from end to end. Calatrava added a walkway paved with translucent glass tiles, hoping for a luminous effect at night. The idea worked visually, but less so underfoot; the glass proved treacherous in wet weather, leading to the addition of non-slip mats. The fix dulled some of the sparkle but ensured fewer lawsuits.
Controversy aside, the Zubizuri quickly became one of Bilbao鈥檚 defining images. Its clean lines and glowing presence at night have earned it countless appearances in travel guides, postcards, and amateur photo albums. Alongside the Guggenheim, it has come to symbolize the city鈥檚 1990s rebirth-what commentators call the 鈥淏ilbao Effect,鈥� when bold architecture was used to reboot civic pride and international reputation.
Crossing the Zubizuri today means more than moving from one bank to the other. It means stepping onto a stage set by a city intent on proving that modern infrastructure could double as public art. White steel, river views, and a touch of controversy all combine in a bridge that manages to be both a practical route and a statement of Bilbao鈥檚 ambition.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bilbao. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
Zubizuri (White Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: Zubizuri (White Bridge)
Sight Location: Bilbao, Spain (See walking tours in Bilbao)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bilbao, Spain (See walking tours in Bilbao)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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