Zubizuri Bridge
This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Bilbao, A Basque City Reborn
Tall, white, and suspended 10 metres above the Ria River, the Zubizuri Bridge is a sight to see.
The Zubizuri, or ‘white bridge’ in Basque, is a pedestrian walkway that first opened to the public in 1997. Its sleek, sail-like structure was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, know that Calatrava is behind several major works, including the Dubai Creek Tower and the World Trade Center transportation hub in New York.
Despite his global reputation, Calatrava’s work has been controversial. The bridge originally featured a glass walkway, which turned out to be dangerously slippery when it rained, leading to numerous accidents. The situation was soon resolved with the addition of a non-slip surface.
Despite its rocky start, the Zubizuri is now one of the city’s modern landmarks.
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