The Chavarri Palace
This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Bilbao, A Basque City Reborn
The Chavarri Palace, at the heart of Plaza de Federico, is impossible to miss. Walking through the square, your eyes are drawn to this striking building, of otherworldly design.
In the 19th century, Víctor Chavarri, a prominent industrialist at the time, set out to build a new family residence in Bilbao. Having studied at the University of Liège in Belgium, he paid tribute to that chapter of his life by choosing a Flemish style for his future home.
To ensure a lasting impression, he called on Paul Hankar, a leading figure of Belgian Art Nouveau. Strongly reminiscent of architecture in Brussels and Antwerp, the Chavarri Palace has one particularly curious detail, not a single window is the same. In a world that often celebrates flawless symmetry, it’s the palace’s irregularities that give it its unique charm.
After serving as the seat of the civil government of Biscay from 1943 to 1947, the building is now home to the Basque government’s regional delegation.
Discover Bilbao with app
An interactive guide through the most beautiful streets, squares, and districts
21 fun audioguides full of historical facts, anecdotes, and legends
Comments