Balmaseda is located some 23 kilometers from Bilbao. It is a charming town full of history where, among other things, the Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) stands out. Built in the 12th century, the Balmaseda bridge is situated in the middle of the historical part of the area and is the best known for the four that cross the town. Its unmistakable hump-shaped silhouette with three arches, fortified with turrets, is without doubt the best known symbol of this Vizcayan town, in whose coat of arms an image of the bridge features. This urban bridge of medieval origin, crossed by the river Cadagua, and originally built for fiscal functions like the collection of taxes, is a jewel from another time that shares the limelight with other of the town's architectural features, such as the 15th century Gothic San Severino church, or the town hall, a building in the classical style of the 18th century.
The San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, opened in 1913 and is a popular football stadium belonging to the Bilbao Athletic Club. In 2013, the new San Mamés Stadium took over the old one and has been known to have a much larger seating capacity with several epic matches played at this fabulous stadium. The dazzling stadium has a very modern and well equipped infrastructure and it is mesmerizing to watch a game here.
This Basilica is located in Portugalete, a coastal town, fifteen minutes from Bilbao, where you can go to see El Puente Colgante, a suspension bridge, as well as this work of art, the Basilica, which has been declared a national Basque monument. It was erected in the 15th century by Doña María López de Haro and took almost 100 years to build. It is in Gothic style, which can be fully appreciated from the outside, as you can see the big high windows with pointed arches, the buttresses, and the flying buttresses. Inside it has strong columns with ribs leaning against the vaults, and a little triforium of arches which are reminiscent of the old pilgrims' churches. From the Basilica of Santa María, there is a fantastic bird's-eye view of Portugalete. Mass times: 7pm Mon-Fri; 12pm, 1pm, and 6.30pm Sat, Sun and holidays.
Take a look into the history of the mining industry that existed in this region at the Museo de la Minería del País Vasco. Exhibits here include mining tools and equipments, drilling machines and paintings depicting the everyday working scene that once existed. The museum includes the journey of developments of this industry and makes an interesting addition to one's travel itinerary. Do check out the website for more details.
One of Bilbao's most iconic landmarks, the Vizcaya Bridge is a 19th-century engineering marvel that straddles the Ibaizabal estuary, linking Portugalete with Las Arenas. The bridge was conceptualized by Basque architect Alberto de Palacio who combined Industrial age ironworking know-how with innovative steel rope technology of the 19th Century. The bridge was lauded as a feat of design and soon, other architects copied the same blueprint and constructed similar bridges across Europe, Africa, and America. At 45 meters high and 160-meter length, it was the world's first gondola-style transporter bridge carrying vehicles and people. An abiding legacy of the Industrial Revolution, the Vizcaya Bridge is regarded as a symbol of the city and daily tours are offered to visitors wishing to know more.