About this place
The Zubizuri, whose name means white bridge in Basque, is one of the most photographed structures in modern Bilbao, a graceful pedestrian bridge completed in 1997 to a design by the world-famous Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. Its form is unmistakable: a gently curving deck suspended by a fan of white steel cables from a single leaning arch, like the sail or skeleton of some great white bird. Pure white and sweeping, it perfectly captures the bold, design-conscious spirit of the reborn city. The bridge is not without controversy: its original glass-paved walkway proved dangerously slippery in Bilbao's frequent rain, leading to accidents and a famous lawsuit, and a rubberised surface was later added. It links the riverside promenades and leads the way toward the Guggenheim and the regenerated Abandoibarra district.
Key facts
- 1997 year — The footbridge was completed, the same year the Guggenheim opened
- 1 arch — A single leaning white steel arch suspends the curving deck
- 1 name — Zubizuri means 'white bridge' in the Basque language
📍 Zubizuri, 48071, Bilbao