The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was designed by the famous Canadian-American architect Frank O. Gehry, one of the most important and influential architects of our times.

With 11.000 mq out of 24.000 mq dedicated to exhibition space, this building of titanium is recognisable for its curving lines and its position on the river. Everything was designed with the aid of computer due to its mathematical complexity.

The glass used can protect the interior against radiation and heat when the sunlight comes into the building.

The main space of the museum is the central atrium, one of the most characteristic features of Gehry's design. Its 50 meters of height and its big windows allow the visitors to have excellent views of the estuary and of the surroundind hills.

The exibition space is distributed over three levels with a total of 20 galleries. Non-exibition areas include the auditorium, a restaurant, two cafes and a store and bookshop, accessible either from the Museum or from inside the building and they operate independently of the Museum opening hours, becoming an active part of city life.

The museum is a point of connection between the city and the river with direct access from the historical and shopping areas. It is sourrounded by a series of attractive walkways and squares and it can be approached from different directions by visitors on foot. The main entrance is in a direct line with Calle Iparraguirre, one of the main arteries of Bilbao.

There is a tramway stop called Guggenheim 100 meters away from the museum. Line 18 of the bus system also has a nearby stop. The museum is located 500 meters North of Moyúa station on the Bilbao Metro. (Susanna Castiello)

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain

The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is one of the varies museums of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and is a contemporary and modern art museum. It is located in Bilbao, Pais Vasco in Spain.

The Museum was opened in 1997, to revitalize the city of Bilbao that was defined up till then as a dead and seriously depressed city by the economic point of view (Today thanks to the Museum, Bilbao has become the second most visited city in Spain) …Since its opening the museum has become a very important tourist attraction, and it attracts visitors from various countries in the world; it therefore has become the symbol of the city of Bilbao around the world. The museum has revealed itself to be one of the most spectacular buildings of deconstructionist

The building, planned out by the architect Frank Gehry, is situated in the waters of Nervion, it doesn’t disturb the surrounding environment but it has in returning that city-river harmony that had completely gone lost. In fact, seen by the river area, the building seems to have a ship-like shape, paying tribute to the portal city where it is in. The shiny panels resemble a fish’s scale. Seen by the high point of view the building has without doubt the shape of a flower.

One of the mostly used materials for the achievement of this impressive masterpiece is the Titan that covers most port of the external surface. Other parts of the building are covered with limestone slabs while crystal slabs are part of the transparent parts of the building.

Only 5 years after the opening the Guggnheim Museum can brag about having received more that 4 million visitors , therefore reviving the city’s economy.