THE CASCO VIEJO (Old Quarter) or The Seven Streets (Somera, Artecalle, Tendería, Belosticalle, Carnicería Vieja, Barrencalle y Barrencalle Barrena) is the oldest neighborhood and the original nucleus of Bilbao, together with “Bilbao La Vieja”.

The Old Town was declared a Historical-Artistic Monument. It holds the Plaza Nueva and other buildings such as the Arriaga Theatre, Bidebarrieta Library, the former Bilbao Stock Exchange, Atxuri railway station, Santiago Cathedral, and the churches of San Antón, San Nicolás and Santos Juanes. Its commercial strength is reflected in five hundred shops, most importantly the Ribera Market, the largest indoor food market in Europe.

From the end of 19th century, El Arenal Bridge links the Old Town with the enlargement of Bilbao that took place at that time, a place of broad and regular streets home to elegant buildings. Plaza Circular Square will be the starting point of our route. The sculpture of Diego López de Haro, founder of the city in 1300, stands in the middle of the square. Gran Vía Street, the core of the enlargement, begins at the Plaza Circular Square and takes its name from the city's founder. Back on Gran Vía Street, you should pay attention to Bizkaia's regional council and other emblematic buildings such as: Sota Building, Chávarri Palace or Carlton Hotel.

During the transformation process that began at the end of the 20th century, architecture was gaining prominence, contributing to shape the new image of Bilbao, a contemporary, modern and innovative city.

Strolling through Bilbao contains more than one surprise. The sculptures that adorn its streets, squares, and gardens are striking.

The walk from the Euskalduna Palace to the Bilbao City Hall offers the route where art is expressed with more force and continuity, but the entire city as a whole is home to one of the best urban sculpture parks that can be seen. It is made up of almost 150 sculptures, from very different periods and styles. We highlight some of the most representative: