Culture of Basque Country. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

There are a lot of places in the Basque country, which you should definitely visit. In Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum will obviously catch your attention. It may be called the Louvre in miniature – the museum has the richest collection of art objects from the past era. Don’t forget to take a picture with the Puppy, a 13 meters high dog statue, made from flowers, that stands near the museum. Take a walk along Casco Viejo – a seven hundred years old neighborhood. An archeological museum of Bilbao will tell many stories about this area, and the Museum of the Basques has an exposition, devoted to their distinctive culture.

The Basilica of Begona, devoted to Virgin Mary, attracts visitors by its antiquity and architecture, which combines elements of gothic and baroque. St. James Cathedral has not just been the main cathedral of Bilbao for seven centuries. It is one of the central points on Camino de Santiago, which thousands of pilgrims walk annually. If you want to see a modern architecture, take a look at the Subisuri Bridge. The Museum of fine arts in Bilbao is sometimes considered as a shadow of the famous Guggenheim, but it’s not like that. The expositions here are not less fascinating. And if you want to rest a little, after visiting the museum, there is a marvelous Donna Casilda Iturrizar park behind it.

In San-Sebastian, more known as an elite resort, there are things to see as well. For instance, the City Hall building, which is a great 19th-century architecture example. By the way, it was formerly a casino. Buen Pastor Cathedral, located in the central part of the city, was also built more than a century ago. During a walk in the Miramar Palace, you will get acquainted with the royal family lifestyle – this Spanish rulers’ summer residence is now open for tourists. The view from the Palace on the Shell Bay is unbelievably beautiful. You can also visit the residence of Franco Aiete in the same name neighborhood. Stop by the San-Telmo Museum – it has 11 beautiful ancient murals. Those, who love the sea, will be mesmerized by the Oceanography Museum. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When in Vitoria, don’t just pass by the Cathedral of Saint Mary. The construction of this magnificent building started in the 13th century, and its beauty is stunning. The Cathedral of Holy Mother of God is a contemporary place of worship, which construction had begun in the 20th century, and was completed only in 1973. The celebrating masses are held here, and once a year a Neapolitan Belen, a traditional Catholic Christmas composition, is shown to the public. The Belen consists of 58 perfectly detailed sculptures. Take a walk on St. Virgin Blanca Square. It is not only a traditional meeting spot for the locals, but also a truly historical site, created more than two centuries ago.

The fans of gothic architecture will appreciate Casa del Cordon, which was built in the 15th century and has never been restructured again. There is the Gaona Tower inside. That was the decision of a merchant Juan Sanchez Bilbao, who constructed it on the place of a 13th-century group of buildings. You should also visit Casa del Cordon, if you want to better understand the culture and morals of the Basques – there is a large exposition, devoted to the ethnic identity of the nation. The building is on Cuchilleria Street. The St. Martyr Vincent Church was also built in gothic style in the 15th century, on the former place of another small church. The Basques Museum of Contemporary Art will be appreciated by the admirers of this area.

In a place, called Azpeitia, between Deba and Bilbao, there is a marvelous baroque building – Santuario San Ignacio. In Deba itself, your attention attracts the Church of Santa Maria. It’s not only because of the date it was built – it has been located here for more than five centuries, but also because of the unusual beauty of the portico. It is known, that earlier the figures on portico were usually painted, but the time and the weather had been destroying it pretty soon. But not this time – the portico of the Church of Santa Maria is still colorful.