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BIZKAIA - Sightseeing Bilbao
> The Old quarter
The current capital sprang up on the left bank of the Nervion, in what is now known as Bilbao la Vieja. The river was a natural defensive moat as well as a place for docks and mooring boats.
The most dearly loved spots of the Bilbao of long ago and today can be appreciated during a stroll through the Old Town, where the Seven Streets still retain the charm and essence of times past. Located in Plaza Santiago is the cathedral of the same name, the main place of worship and nerve centre of the Old Town. Here too museum lovers can visit the Basque Archaeological, Ethnographical and Historical Museum.
To gather the necessary energy, stop for a break in the Plaza Nueva/Berria, an essential part of our visit to the Old Town, where, not only is the setting a joy in itself, but it also affords you the opportunity to savour the succulent tapas and dishes typical of Basque cuisine on offer in its many bars and restaurants.
In the surrounding arcades, business premises and shops give us an idea of what the Old Town offers in general. A window, a facade, a balcony laden with flowers, the tapas in a bar, or a certain shop window that looks as if taken from a page of history are some of the things we shall come across. The Old Town is a city within a city and there is a whole world in each of its corners. In many cases a world with 700 years of history.