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When the city of Bilbao was founded over 700 years ago, its inhabitants made their living from market gardens and fishing, and the river was beginning to emerge as the best means of communication with the outside world. There were at that time two different centres of population; on the one hand, the left bank or Bilbao la Vieja, which was a mining area where iron was worked in the foundries, and secondly, the right bank, called the Old Quarter («Casco Viejo»), which engaged in commerce and port activities. The heart of the Old Quarter was surrounded by walls and consisted of three parallel streets. Later it became necessary to take down the walls and build four streets perpendicular to the river, which along with the first three, make up what is known today as the Seven Streets.

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The Guggenheim Museum is the greatest icon of Bilbao. This contemporary art museum was designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry, and represents one of the most ambitious cultural projects of the previous century, being one of the most widely-recognised museums in the world. It could be said that the appearance of the museum marked a turning point for the entire city, as it has received thousands of tourists year round since its opening.

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The Itsasmuseum collection is based on elements and objects that refer to the maritime culture of Bilbao and Bizkaia.

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From Romanesque art to the early avant-garde and their successors, the collection of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum offers a journey that encompasses the main artists, styles and schools of Western art through representative examples. The collection amounts to more than 19,000 works, where 15,000 are an abundant collection of works on paper (engravings, drawings, photography and posters), more than 2,000 are paintings, and around 500 are sculptures. Decorative arts are also represented in the collection with nearly 800 pieces with specimens ranging from the 13th century to the 20th century. In the museum, you can also find the best collection of Basque art, where you can find works by Jorge Oteiza, Chillida or Zuloaga among others.

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The Nervión Waterfall can be found quite close to Orduña, the only city in Bizkaia and classified as a Historical-Monumental site. The waterfall can be enjoyed from the lookout located on Delika canyon and offering a spectacular panorama, particularly during the rainy months, when the flow of water is higher. This area can be accessed via Puerto de Orduña to Monte Santiago, where a sign-posted route begins.

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The Urkiola Natural Park is shaped by mountains and valleys, and stands as the epicentre of Basque mythology. The Sanctuary of Urkiola and the Tres Cruces lookout are a symbol for residents and visitors, and serves as a place of pilgrimage and traditional romerías. The park is home to countless species of plants and animals, and is a paradise for hiking, climbing, and mountain enthusiasts alike.

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Urdaibai is one of Bizkaia’s most important natural spaces, declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1984 by UNESCO. Its natural richness makes it a unique space for birdwatching along with water sports and boating, as well as hiking and bike touring. Urdaibai also has the Ekoetxea Urdaibai, a Biodiversity of Euskadi centre located in Busturia’s Madariaga Tower, and the Urdaibai Bird Centre in Gautegiz Arteaga, a living nature museum to discover and enjoy the world of birds and their migrations.

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San Juan de Gaztelugatxe has deep roots in fishing, with offerings, boat models, and paintings of vessels that can be found inside the hermitage. In addition to being a refuge for ancient battles, today it is a Protected Natural Biotope and a place of pilgrimage every 24 June. Climbing up to the hermitage, which is located about 150 meters above sea level, is well worth the effort thanks to its impressive views.

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The Bizkaia Bridge is a work of iron-forged engineering that was the first transporter bridge in the world, and was declared a Historical Artistic Monument. In addition to being awarded with other distinctions and recognitions, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. We owe this great work to the master Alberto de Palacio who, together with Ferdinand Arnodin, made the dream of joining both banks come true. On the left bank, ore and iron were worked tirelessly, while on the right bank, the bourgeoisie settled.

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A flysch is a rock formation that alternates between layers of hard rock and layers of softer materials such as clay. With the passing of time, unique enclaves of great geological interest are formed, and through these different layers, geologists can interpret the different geological phases formed millions of years ago. Located in the Uribe and Getxo area, the Bizkaia flysch has the peculiarity of being an extraordinarily beautiful landscape while also boasting a fantastic route to discover the 16 Sites of Geological Interest (Muriola Beach in Barrika served as a stage for the Game of Thrones series).

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You should take into account that the conference venue is located in a low-emission zone where only cars with environmental badges 0, ECO and C are permitted to enter.^1,2

¹The environmental badge does not need to be visible on the car, nor does it need to have been requested.

²Cars with environmental badge B are also permitted to enter, but only if they are parked in one of the following indoor parking lots :

• Plaza Euskadi:
  • Map showing how to get to the Conference Venue on foot from the parking lot(approximately 2 minutes)
  • Website
• Zubiarte:
  • Map showing how to get to the Conference Venue on foot from the parking lot(approximately 4 minutes)
  • Website

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You should take into account that it is highly recommended to purchase the Barik prepaid card at one of the many authorized points of sale.¹ This card will allow you to use a wide range of public transport systems in Bizkaia: Bilbao subway, Euskotren train and tram, Bilbobus and Bizkaibus buses, Bizkaia Bridge, Artxanda and Larreineta Funicular…

This prepaid card costs 3€ and, in order to use it, must be recharged at one of the many points of sale¹ with a minimum amount of 5€.

¹Authorized points of sale:

• Card vending machines (MEAT and miniMEAT) located at Bilbao subway stations, Renfe train stations, EuskoTren train stations, the Atxuri station of Euskotren tram, and the Tourist Office at Plaza Circular nº 1.
• The Bizkaia Bridge and Artxanda and Larreineta Funicular facilities.
• Cabins of Bilbobus and Bizkaibus buses .
• More than 450 establishments in Bizkaia, identified with the Barik sign.

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