This amazing Basque Country.
They say that peplum is one of the strangest peoples. No one knows where and when they appeared in Europe. Their language (euskara) has no immediate family anywhere in the world. Some wild head, consider them to be the only surviving relic remaining from the pre-era in Europe. A country where around town the giant spider with the poetic name “Mama”.
Photos and text kitv
1. So, the Basque country is an Autonomous Community in Northern Spain, the gates and the largest city is Bilbao. It can be reached easily by train from Madrid or Barcelona, for example. The city was founded on the site of a former fishing village, about 1300.
2. Through the city flows the river Nervión, and the suburbs of the coasts of the Bay of Biscay.
3. The river is a kind of Central gallery of the city’s attractions. For example, the Palace in the center is the Ribera market, the largest they say in Spain. Surprised clean the inside, as if Souvenirs sell fruit instead of vegetables but seafood.
4. I admit at once: I liked the city.
5. Very bright, diverse and modern center, which is home to more than 360 thousand people.
6. With this population the town has a real subway (4 metro lines). In addition, we run a pretty low-floor trams.
7. The old city (the part which began with the founding of the city in the XIV century) is compactly located on the right Bank of the Nervión river, and traditionally looks for Iberian cities: narrow, parallel, the correct form of the streets, surrounded the perimeter of which was a fortress wall…
8. …several areas, the largest of which is Plaza Nueva, built in the best traditions of the Spanish Royal parade ground.
9. I must say that Bilbao is surrounded almost on all sides by high wooded hills, and the hills visible also in the old center.
10. Please note, as a lot of greenery around. Some breeds, Pets, plants hanging from almost every window, balcony. The average annual temperature is +14° allows. )
11. Another square is Plaza Santiago is located next to the Gothic Cathedral of Santiago (St. James), built in the XIV century. It is very difficult to photograph as it is surrounded by dense urban development. But you can imagine how can look like Gothic cathedrals? ) In my opinion, nothing special, besides, for some reason it was closed.
12. Historic old Bilbao, really — small-small block, slowly to get around which is really half an hour…
13. But around it are not less interesting and ancient places.
14. Being close to the railway station, I could not deny myself the pleasure to see the building from the inside. For anybody not a secret that the railroad in Spain — the main long-distance transport.
15. Opposite the railway station overlooks the beautiful building of the theater Arriaga (Arriaga) — the main theatre space of the Basque country.
16. The length of the Nervión river from its source to the Bay of Biscay is just 72 km away. At the same time, tidal effects extend to 15 km from the mouth, that is in the city the river level, depending on the season, increases or decreases considerably. Frequent floods. For example, in August 1983, the water rose to the level of the second floor of the Arriaga theatre (see previous photo).
17. Of course, the amphitheatre, and lined up the magnificent buildings in a variety of styles…
18. … and eras.
19. Drawbridge Puente del Ayuntamiento, the name translates as “bridge town Hall”. The red building belongs to the office of the municipality.
20. City Hall is right across the street. Once there was a monastery of St. Augustine, which was destroyed during local wars, 1833-1840 years. This beautiful building was erected in 1892, and since then serves its intended purpose.
21. Pleases the eye with a mix of ancient and modern image of urban neighborhoods, and streets.
22. Well, the wooded hills, too, please! )
23. In a lot of modern art presented directly on city streets (like a spider’s “Mama” on the cover photo). Here, opposite the city hall presented “something” Basque sculptor Eduardo Calido.
24. Sometimes you can go down the wide stairs to the water’s edge, wander through the stones.
25. Here begins the curious, the once industrial area of the city today is filled with modern, innovative architecture of the global masters. Suspended arch pedestrian bridge “Zubizuri”, and the 83-meter tower Isozaki Atea to which it leads, just from this series.
26. Further — more! The highest bridge in the city, Puente de La Salve, and the accumulation of something bulky and obscure as the origin of the Basques. )
27. And yet, look how nice look the tram tracks! They want to lie down and have a picnic. )
28. And behind — the Zubizuri bridge, which became one of the recognizable symbols of Bilbao.
29. Liberty square with a kind of monuments and figures.
30. Under the bridge there-here walks — we already spider “Mama” Franco-American artist and sculptor Louise Bourgeois.
31.
32. Next to this stands the futuristic 15-meter tower of steel balls 76, Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor.
33. And again, a wonderful and unique promenade, which want to walk and walk…
34. Lastly, look at the building of the Museum of modern art of Solomon Guggenheim in Bilbao! This is one of the most spectacular buildings in the style of deconstruction in the world! It is often compared to a futuristic spaceship of extraterrestrial origin.
Here is our amazing Basque Country!