BUILDINGS AND SKIES...

...WITH THREE EXCEPTIONS - BILBAO - OCTOBER 2006

***

THESE ARE THE BUILDINGS AND THE SKIES...


"UNIVERSIDAD DE DEUSTO, opened in 1886, has campuses in Bilbao and San Sebastian. The main Bilbao building (the largest of its time) was designed by the architect Marquis of Cubas. For fifty years since 1916, its Business College was the only of its kind, becoming the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration in 1973"


"CONCORDIA STATION was built in 1898 by Severino de Achúcarro and Valentín Gorbeña. It has a spectacular façade facing the river, which is a good example of the Modernist influence in Achúcaro's creations. The remodelled and refurbished station is the departure point of FEVE trains to Balmaseda and Santander"



"ARRIAGA THEATRE - Built in Neoclassical style by Joaquín Rucoba and Octavio de Toledo, it opened its doors on May 31, 1890 and was named after the Bilbao-born composer Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga. The building resembles the Paris Opera and has a sumptuous interior. It was completely refurbished in 1986 after the severe flooding destructions of August 1983"


"SAN NICOLAS - This is a morning picture of the church also featured on my last post"


"RIBERA MARKET - Further to the building and the sky, some birds decided to join us for your enjoyment..."




"BEGOÑA - The Basilica is dedicated to Virgin Begoña, «Amatxo», the patron saint of Bizkaia. Built in Gothic style by Sancho Martínez de Arego in the place of the alleged Virgin's apparition in the early 16th century, it took more than one hundred years (1511 though 1621) to complete. The bell tower dates from the early 20th century"


"STEPS - From Begoña Hill to Plaza Unamuno"


"DOÑA CASILDA PARK - The one hundred year old park (its construction started in 1907, though some sources mention 1912 through 1920) is Bilbao's main park. Designed in Romantic style by Ricardo Bastida and Juan de Eguiraun, inspired by French parks, it offers some sculptures dedicated to different figures. This one is dedicated to the musician Aureliano Valle. At the right hand side, the Sheraton may be seen"


"AYUNTAMIENTO - Located across the City Hall bridge that links it to the central Abando district, the City Hall was built in Baroque style in 1892 at the former site of a convent. It seems that one of the highlights of the building is the Arab hall, a richly decorated hall that follows the Neo-Mudéjar style and resembles the decorations found in the Alhambra of Granada"


"CRANES & EVENING LIGHTS"


"CONCORDIA STATION BY NIGHT"

***

...AND THESE ARE THE EXCEPTIONS:


"BEGOÑA INTERIOR - The three naves Basilica has a neoclassical main altar, presided by the Virgin's niche"


"PARK SCENE"


"LIGHTS SCULPTURE, near the Fine Arts Museum"