Plaza Nueva, Porticoed square in Casco Viejo, Bilbao, Spain.
Plaza Nueva is a large square in Bilbao's old town, surrounded by arcaded buildings featuring detailed neoclassical stone facades on all sides. Beneath these arches sit numerous bars and restaurants serving traditional Basque pintxos and regional dishes throughout the day.
Construction of the square began in the early 1800s and took several decades to complete as the arcaded buildings gradually rose around its perimeter. For much of the 1800s, it functioned as the seat of the provincial government before that role ended.
On Sundays, the square becomes a gathering place where collectors and dealers come to buy and sell antique books, coins, stamps, and minerals. This weekly market reveals how locals and visitors use the space as a living, working hub for sharing interests.
The square is located in the heart of the old town and easy to reach on foot, with wide walkways sheltered under the arcades. Visitors can come at any time of day to enjoy the many bars and restaurants spread throughout the covered areas.
The square is home to Euskaltzaindia, the Royal Academy of the Basque Language, which has worked to preserve and promote the Basque language since the 1800s. This institution is located within the square, making it a center for language and cultural work in the region.
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