An Alhóndiga is usually a Corn Exchange, but this one was the city warehouse for wines and spirits. ( See alhondigabilbao.com )
Today, “AlhóndigaBilbao is a public area planned and designed for enjoying leisure time and cultural activities that promote personal development and foster human relationships”
The building stretches through a whole block dividing the Nineteenth Century Expansion Area from it's further growth beyond San Mamés Avenue. It was built in reinforced concrete and using brick, artificial stone and other materials chosen for being cheap and easy to maintain. The architect, Ricardo Bastida, was very young in 1905, when he designed the building taking good care to make the inside totally apt for its purpose and giving the outer walls an attractive and fancy look. The facades are compound of three horizontal elements each. There are towers on all squares and the four external walls have fronts that brake somehow the predominant horizontality.
The wine trade stopped in the 1970s, when a new warehouse was built in Recalde, and the Alhondiga remained empty for years.
In 2010 it was reopened as a cultural Center. The inner space has been rearranged and designed by Philippe Starck
This is Iparragirre Street. If we could turn to the left, we would see Biscay Square (Plaza Bizkaia)
We look back for a moment, then we continue our walk.
This is the southern facade of the Alhondiga. The street is Fernández del Campo.
At this corner, Fernandez del Campo Street meets Alameda San Mamés (San Mamés Avenue)
We peep back through Iparragirre once more before turning left.
Alameda de San Mamés will lead us to Indautxu Plaza.
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