Basque Country - Day 3

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Day trip today to Bilbao, Spain, to check out the Guggenheim Museum.  Easy drive -- almost all highway -- 86 miles -- 99 minutes.  The museum was excellent -- as was the drive through the foothills of the Pyrenees (it was a stunningly gorgeous day).

Described as the best building of the second half of the 20th century, the museum has completely transformed Bilbao, putting the city on the world map and changing its image.  Opened in 1997, it was designed by American architect Frank Gehry, who, after visiting the city, was very clear about its location.  "That's the place", he exclaimed after observing a view of Bilbao from Mount Artxanda.  The place was the site of the former Compañia de Maderas timber company, on the left bank of the river.  As the architect explained, the design is based "on the port that it was and the city it is", symbolizing a ship anchored on the banks of the Nervión.  The titanium cladding means that you see, at any time of day, the colors that the light projects onto it.

The Guggenheim is surrounded by promenades, parks, and recently-built squares, where you can see the work of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Jeff Koons, and Fujiko Nakaya.  The museum focuses on works from the mid-20th century to the present day, thus complementing the collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and forging a unique identity at the same time.


  • 1-2:  Gorgeous sunrise through the fog (view from my terrace)
  • 3:  Guggenheim Bilbao








  • 2:  Solitaire, 2018, Joana Vasconcelos
    • a gigantic engagement ring made from the wheel rims of luxury cars and glass whisky tumblers, thus combining some of the most stereotyped symbols of masculine and feminine desire.
    • 18'' light alloy golden wheel rims, crystal whisky glasses, metallized and thermo-lacquered iron, stainless steel, tempered and laminated glass





  • 1:  Lunch at the museum cafe:  the food was ok, service was bad, sangria was EXCELLENT!
  • 2:  Inside the atrium:  Egeria, 2018, Joana Vasconcelos
    • handmade cotton crochet, fabrics, ornaments, LED, inflatable, microcontrollers, power supply units, and steel cables.
  • 3:  Van Gogh to Picasso: The Thannhauser Legacy exhibition (this is really the only exhibit that I viewed in the museum -- it was just too nice of a day to be inside!)








  • 1:  This is what you get when you try to take a photo while driving and keeping your eyes on the road ☺
  • 2-3:  Moon rising through a gorgeous sunset (view from my terrace)

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