Considering the excellent reception of previous editions, the Bilbao City Council has organized a new edition of the Bilbao Izan program for July. This initiative aims to promote the heritage and history of the city's neighborhoods. This time, Abando will be the protagonist.
This guided tour proposes an approach to the urban and architectural projects that envisioned an alternative future for the center of Bilbao from the 19th century to the early decades of the 20th century. These were initiatives driven by architects, engineers, and institutions that, for various reasons, were never realized but could have significantly transformed the city.
Through these proposals, the public can discover a different Abando: a commercial center over the estuary, a Palace of Music on Villarías street, or an elevated metro that would cross the city. The tours will help understand the ideas, aspirations, and historical context that supported these projects and recognize the value of what was not built in Bilbao's urban history.
Interested individuals can reserve their spot on the Bilbao Izan website. Reservations will be available starting June 29th, at 9:00 AM, for the first two weeks of the month, and from July 13th, at 9:00 AM, for the second fortnight.
The guided tours will last approximately an hour and a half. They are scheduled for Tuesdays at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM (both in Spanish), Wednesdays at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM (both in Spanish), Thursdays at 5:00 PM (in Spanish) and 7:00 PM (in Basque), and Fridays at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM (both in Spanish). On Saturdays, they will take place at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM (both in Spanish).
When making a reservation, participants must provide their full name, email address, and phone number. Pre-registration is essential to participate. Those who cannot attend at their reserved time are asked to notify Bilbao Izan via the "cancel reservation" option so the spot can be offered to someone else.
The guided tour is an outdoor activity and will not be canceled due to rain, although the itinerary might be slightly adjusted. Each participant will receive an audio guide to facilitate listening. Therefore, attendees are requested to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
The tours include a sign language interpreter for the group on the third Friday of the month, July 17th, at 7:00 PM. Individuals requiring sign language interpretation can book through a specific section on the website starting June 1st.
Individuals wishing to take the guided tour in Basque can do so on Thursday afternoons at 7:00 PM. For Basque-language groups, a minimum of 15 participants is required, who must complete a specific form on the website. New group dates will be published on the website's calendar.
Bilbao Izan is primarily aimed at local residents but is also open to visitors and anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of the city. This municipal project promotes the heritage and history of the neighborhoods.
In its more than 20 years of history, nearly all neighborhoods have been explored and visited, thanks to the participation and support of numerous residents. The open-air tours are free, on foot, and last approximately an hour and a half, accompanied by a guide who will present historical content in an accessible and enlightening manner.
This initiative is part of the Bilbao Izan project, which encompasses all programs the City Council dedicates to disseminating Bilbao's essence: its historical trajectory, treasures, the legacy of famous figures, artistic heritage, urban configuration, and the unique history of each neighborhood.
Furthermore, this municipal program is fully committed to Bilbao, City of Values, a project that seeks to promote shared values in the city, such as commitment, effort, enthusiasm, participation, creativity, and especially identity. It also aligns with the Bilbao Strategic Culture Plan 2023-2033, which promotes bringing culture closer to citizens by valuing the characteristics of the city's cultural identity.
The guided tours project is supported by DEIA.
In the autumn, a new edition of the “Txio Ta Txio” videos will be launched, focusing this year on “The Trains of Bilbao”. Additionally, the Argazkineta project will be initiated, celebrating its 8th edition this year by collecting memories and documentary material in the Zurbaranbarri and Arabella neighborhoods.
