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The Biscayan stretch of coastline is arguably the most spectacular in the entire Basque Country. This is an area of dramatic beauty, where the force of elements can be experienced at its most: the fierce waves of the Atlantic crash violently against the sheer cliffs and islets that line the coast, where only some estuaries of great scenic beauty provide for shelter. A few incredibly picturesque fishermen towns dot the coast.
This is also the area where one of the important parts of the Basque soul was forged: the arrantzaleak, or Basque seamen who crossed the Northern Atlantic for centuries in search of fish and whales and reached as far as Newfoundland, fighting the terrible storms the Bay of Biscay is known for. Galernas are, in truth, violent and sudden storms with very strong winds that occur in the Bay of Biscay mostly in Spring and Autumn. These disturbances have claimed thousands of lives among the fishermen and are part of the regional folklore.
Curiously enough, Spaniards only call Bay of Biscay to the southeast portion of what in English is referred to under that name. The Bay of Biscay (in its English meaning) is called in Spain after the neighbouring region of Cantabria (Mar Cantábrico).
There is a scenic road which runs the length of the Biscayan coast, starting in Getxo, on the mouth of the Bilbao estuary, towards Matxitxako Cape, the Northernmost point of the Spanish Basque Country, and then onwards to Ondarroa, on the Guipuzcoa province line. Leave a Comment
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Bilbao, with a population of more than 350,000, is the largest city in the Basque Country and the eleventh in Spain. It is also the centre of one of the main industrial poles in the country, which covers a large area on both sides of the Nervion estuary and comprises a population of almost one million, making of it the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain.
Bilbao is one of the youngest Spanish cities, as it was founded only in A.D. 1300 by don Diego López de Haro on a former settlement on the Nervión river. The city strived thanks to its port and the exploitation of the nearby coal mines, becoming eventually the capital of Biscay in detriment of Bermeo. Since then, it has been a pioneer in Spain's industrial history and one of the economic engines of the country.
Industry, mines, banks and business have been associated to Bilbao for many decades, and the huge fortunes that were amassed in the years of prosperity have left an indelible mark in the city in terms of quality architecture and refined gastronomy. Nevertheless, the severe industrial crisis in the 1980s left a desolated landscape of abandoned factories and polluted grounds that affected the image of the city very negatively.
In the last years, Bilbao has tried very hard to convince travelers from all over the world that the industrial image of the city is a thing of the past and that, after a big effort of renovation and revamping, the city now offers charm, avant-garde and innovation. The best known aspect of this renovation is the world famous local branch of the Guggenheim Museum and its astonishing architecture by Frank Ghery, but that is not but a piece in a larger puzzle of invigorating projects which have made of Bilbao one of the most interesting city destinations in Spain.
You can see more Bilbao pictures in my Bilbao page. Leave a Comment Directions: In the estuary of the Nervión river
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