- Bilbao played a key role as a port even before its founding as a town in 1300.
- The development of maritime trade and iron transport prompted the legal creation of the city.
- Curiosities such as Puppy and the first electric tram mark Bilbao's identity.
- The urban structure and popular nicknames complete the historical and cultural portrait of the city.
It is surprising to many that Bilbao served as a port before its official constitution as a town.Long before obtaining its founding charter in 1300, this enclave next to the Nervión estuary had already acquired strategic importance in maritime trade routes, mainly due to the shipment of iron from Biscayan ironworks to international markets. The Port activity turned the Bilbao estuary into a decisive economic hub for the interior of Bizkaia.This commercial prosperity was the trigger for Diego López V de Haro to promote the legal foundation of the town, providing it with privileges and its own administration that would formalize an economic reality that had existed for a long time.
Its maritime identity is one of the essential pillars of local history. This was recently highlighted by the official Bilbao Tourism social media account, inviting visitors to discover the port origins of the Biscayan capital and other unique features.
This includes curiosities such as Puppy – the emblematic floral sculpture located in front of the Guggenheim – holding the world record for the largest floral work. Similarly, Bilbao was a pioneer in urban transport, since the first electric tram in the entire country circulated.
Did you know that Bilbao was a port before it was a town?
That Puppy is one of the largest floral sculptures in the world?
Or that the first electric tram in Spain was launched in Bilbao?Source: Bilbao Tourism on social networks
Bilbao and its nicknames: The origin of "el botxo"
One of the most popular names to refer to the city is «the botxo», a word that colloquially refers to "hole" formed by the surrounding mountains and the estuary that runs through BilbaoThis unique geographic location has shaped both the city's urban planning and certain customs of its inhabitants.
In the field of transport, Bilbao stands out for its history of innovation: The first electric tram that circulated in Spain traveled through its streets. Currently, the city's public transport is considered one of the most advanced, especially thanks to the metro network, which has garnered international recognition for both its functionality and design.
La The oldest sculpted figure in the city is the statue of Diego López V de Haro, founder of Bilbao, who holds the founding charter. Another of the most striking architectural elements is the window of the Abando station, which at over fifteen metres wide impresses visitors and locals alike.
The Old Town and its unique layout
A lesser-known curiosity lies in the layout of the streets of the Old TownThese streets are organized in descending order, starting with Somera Street, located at the highest point, and ending with Barrenkale, which occupies the lowest position. This uniqueness is a legacy of medieval urban planning and reflects the adaptation of the urban fabric to the local topography.
The sum of these details—its port past, innovation in transportation, and the unique layout of its historic center—make up a city with an unmistakable personality.
Bilbao's history, from its time as a key hub for maritime trade to its present-day role, with modern infrastructure, cultural landmarks, and an advanced transportation network, helps us understand the city's transformation and the deep roots of its identity.
