San Antón Bridge, Road bridge in Casco Viejo, Spain.
The San Antón Bridge is a stone and concrete road bridge crossing the Bilbao estuary with two arches, connecting the old quarter Casco Viejo with the Bilbao La Vieja neighborhood. The structure allows daily use by vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The bridge's first documented mention dates before 1318, and it served as the sole river crossing for centuries. It was rebuilt in 1880 after suffering damage from the Carlist Wars.
The bridge is so connected to Bilbao that it appears on the city's coat of arms and the Athletic Bilbao football club's crest. It has shaped the look of the old town center for centuries.
The bridge sits centrally between two historic neighborhoods and is easy to reach on foot or by bike when exploring the old town. Note the traffic lanes on the surface and the pedestrian area on the side.
The bridge stands right next to San Antón Church and was long the only link for merchants moving goods between Biscay and Castile regions. This trade route made it a vital hub in medieval commerce.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
