Bilbao La Vieja in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

, "Old

Bilbao Bilbao is a city in northern Spain, the largest city in the Provinces of Spain, province of Biscay and in the Basque Country (greater region), Basque Country as a whole. It is also the largest city proper in northern Spain. Bilbao is the List o ...

" in English and Bilbo Zaharra in

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

. It is a neighbourhood of

and part of the 5th district of the city (

Ibaiondo Ibaiondo is the fifth district of the city of Bilbao (Biscay), in the Spanish Basque Country. ''Ibaiondo'' is a recently used name that means 'beside the river' in Basque. It is divided into the neighbourhoods of Atxuri, Bilbo Zarra, Casco Viej ...

Location

In the city center, it lies right across the

estuary An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime enviro ...

, on the left bank of the Nervion River, united to the

Old Town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...

by the bridge of San Anton pictured above (portrayed in the city's coat of arms). Calle Bilbao La Vieja

History

Past

Bilbao La Vieja is the oldest neighbourhood of

, being older than even the medieval urban district (

Casco Viejo or in Spanish or or in Basque are different names for the medieval neighbourhood of Bilbao, part of the Ibaiondo district. The walled section of the town existed until the end of the 19th century and was known by the names Seven Streets or ...

), founded in 1300. The development of Bilbao la Vieja was closely linked to that of the Miribilla mines, on the top of the Miribilla mountain behind the old neighborhood. Recently redeveloped as a newly built neighborhood. Bilbao La Vieja was traditionally where the majority of the miners resided. It was some of the first land used as an expansion of the medieval city was undertaken in the 18th and 19th centuries and became a fashionable neighborhood by the end of the 19th century.

Today

Due to its strategic location within the city of Bilbao and the end of the minery days years ago, Bilbao la Vieja is getting through a deep

gentrification Gentrification is the process whereby the character of a neighborhood changes through the influx of more Wealth, affluent residents (the "gentry") and investment. There is no agreed-upon definition of gentrification. In public discourse, it has ...

process. Under the municipal government's new initiatives the neighborhood is redeveloping, with a number of new businesses and subsidies aimed at urban renewal and attracting the young to the area. This initiative has been largely very fruitful thus far. Many new shops and young entrepreneurs are setting up shop. The neighborhood is also home to a growing immigrant population, making it one of the most vibrant communities in Bilbao.

Transport

By foot

* Direct from

Abando Abando, formerly known as ''San Vicente de Abando'', is one of the eight districts of Bilbao, Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Country (Spain). It covers most of the city's centre, located on the left bank of the estuary of Bilbao. I ...

. * Direct from

through Ribera bridge, el Merced bridge and San Antón bridge. * 8 minutes (Approx.) from

Moyúa Moyúa, or Elliptic Square, is a public square located in the center of Bilbao's extension, in the district of Abando. The square was conceived in 1876 as a central hub in the middle of Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro avenue, from where t ...

Metro

Bilbao la Vieja has no stations itself. However, a number of them lie right next to it: *

station *

station

Train

Bilbao la Vieja has no stations itself. However, a number of them lie right next to it: *

station *

Atxuri Atxuri is a neighborhood of Bilbao, Basque country, Spain. It was originally a suburb south of the old walled town. Modernly it stands between this neighborhood and those of Solokoetxe, Santutxu and the estuary of Bilbao. Administratively, it ...

station

BilboBus

Lines and stops: *

External links

Bilbao la Vieja, San Francisco Zabala FORUM
{{Coord, 43, 15, 16, N, 2, 55, 27, W, source:euwiki_region:ES-BI_type:city, display=title Geography of Bilbao