List of Bienes de Interés Cultural in Biscay facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A Bien de Interés Cultural (say "Bee-en day EEN-teh-res Kool-too-RAL") is a special title given to important cultural heritage sites in Spain. It means these places are super important for history, art, or science, and they are protected by law. Think of them as national treasures!

This article tells you about some of these amazing places in the Province of Biscay, which is in the Basque Country of Spain.

Historic Groups: Journeys and Bridges
- The Way of St. James
- Vizcaya Bridge: A Unique Ferry Bridge
Amazing Buildings and Places in Biscay's Towns
Images for kids
See also

Historic Groups: Journeys and Bridges

Some of these protected sites are not just one building, but a whole area or a long path!

The Way of St. James

The Way of St. James (or Camino de Santiago) is a very old pilgrimage route. For hundreds of years, people have walked this path to a famous cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Part of this historic journey goes through Biscay, and it's protected because of its long history and cultural importance.

The Way of St. James in Bilbao's Old Town.

Vizcaya Bridge: A Unique Ferry Bridge

The Vizcaya Bridge is a truly special landmark. It's not a normal bridge you drive or walk across. Instead, it's a "transporter bridge" or "ferry bridge." This means it has a hanging gondola (like a big basket) that carries cars and people across the river. It was built in 1893 and was the first of its kind in the world! It's a fantastic example of industrial engineering from a long time ago.

The Vizcaya Bridge, a unique transporter bridge.

Amazing Buildings and Places in Biscay's Towns

Many towns in Biscay have their own special protected sites. Let's explore some of them!

Towers and Castles

Biscay has many old towers and castles that once protected the land.

The Torre de Muntsaratz in Abadiano is an old defense tower. It reminds us of a time when people needed strong buildings to keep safe.
In Bermeo, you can find the Torre de Ercilla. This tower is very old, dating back to the 15th century. Today, it's home to a fishing museum, which is pretty cool!
The Torre de Aranguren in Orozko is another example of these ancient defense structures.
In Muskiz, you can see the Ruins of the Castle, Palace and Hermitage of Muñatones. This was once a very important and large complex, and its ruins tell stories of medieval times.

The Torre de Muntsaratz.

The Torre de Ercilla in Bermeo.

The ruins of Muñatones Castle.

Beautiful Churches and Religious Sites

Many churches in Biscay are protected because of their beautiful architecture and history.

The Iglesia de San Severino in Balmaseda is a grand church with a long history.
In Bermeo, the Iglesia de Santa María and the Claustro de San Francisco (a peaceful courtyard of an old monastery) are both protected.
Bilbao is home to the stunning Church of San Antón and the grand St. James' Cathedral. These churches have seen centuries of history unfold.
The Iglesia de Santa María de Uribarri in Durango is another important religious building.
In Galdakao, the Iglesia de Santa María shows off beautiful Gothic architecture.
The Iglesia de Santa María in Güeñes is also a protected site.
Lekeitio boasts the impressive Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora, a very important church.
The Iglesia de Santa María in Markina-Xemein is another significant religious monument.
And in Portugalete, the Iglesia de Santa María is a beautiful example of religious architecture.
Finally, the Colegiata de Zenarruza in Ziortza-Bolibar is a historic monastery with a beautiful cloister.

The Iglesia de San Severino in Balmaseda.

The Iglesia de Santa María in Bermeo.

The Claustro de San Francisco.

The Church of San Antón in Bilbao.

St. James' Cathedral in Bilbao.

The Iglesia de Santa María de Uribarri.

The Iglesia de Santa María in Galdakao.

The Iglesia de Santa María in Güeñes.

The Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora in Lekeitio.

The Iglesia de Santa María in Markina-Xemein.

The Iglesia de Santa María in Portugalete.

The Colegiata de Zenarruza.

Historic Towns and Squares

Some entire towns or parts of towns are protected because they have kept their old charm and history.

The Casco Viejo (Old Town) of Bilbao is a historic group of buildings and streets. It's a wonderful place to explore the city's past.
Bilbao's Plaza Nueva is a beautiful square, also protected for its civil architecture.
The Conjunto Histórico de la Villa de Elorrio means the entire historic center of Elorrio is protected. It's like stepping back in time!

The Casco Viejo (Old Town) of Bilbao.

Plaza Nueva in Bilbao.

A view of Elorrio's historic center.

Important Civil Buildings and Palaces

Many buildings that were not churches or castles are also protected because of their unique design or importance.

In Bilbao, you can find several such buildings:
- Alhóndiga Bilbao is a former wine warehouse that has been transformed into a modern cultural and leisure center.
- The Escritorio Mercantil de Bilbao and Casa Arróspide are examples of beautiful civil architecture.
- The Casa Montero and Casas de Sota are also notable buildings.
The Casa de Juntas in Guernica is a very important building for the Basque Country. It's where the regional assembly meets, and it's next to the famous Tree of Guernica, a symbol of Basque freedom.
In Elorrio, the Tola de Gaytan palace and Zearsolo palace are protected for their civil architecture.
The Valdespina palace in Ermua, which is now the town hall, is also a protected site.
In Ispaster, the Adán de Yarza palace is a beautiful example of civil architecture.
Lekeitio has the Uriarte Palace, a grand 17th-century Baroque building.
The Casa Consistorial in Otxandio, which is the town hall, is another protected civil building.

Alhóndiga Bilbao.

The Escritorio Mercantil de Bilbao.

Casa Arróspide.

Casa Montero.

The Provincial Historical Archive in Bilbao.

The Casa de Juntas in Guernica.

The Zearsolo palace.

The Valdespina palace in Ermua.

The Adán de Yarza palace.

The Uriarte Palace.

The Casa Consistorial in Otxandio.

The Casas de Sota.

Ancient Caves and Archaeological Sites

Biscay is also home to ancient natural wonders and places where people lived long ago.

The Arguiñeta cemetery in Elorrio is an archaeological zone, meaning it's a place where scientists study the past through old remains. It's a necropolis, an ancient burial ground.
The Arenaza cave in Galdames is a protected monument.
The Basando cave in Guernica is another important cave.
The Santimamiñe Cave in Kortezubi is famous for its Paleolithic art, which means very old cave paintings made by early humans!

The Arguiñeta cemetery.

The entrance to Santimamiñe Cave.

Museums and Other Unique Sites

Bilbao has two important museums that are protected: the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum and the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. These places keep and show amazing artifacts and artworks.
The Kurutziaga Cross in Durango is a historic cross, a unique monument.
The Ferrería de El Pobal in Muskiz is an old ironworks, showing how people used to make iron a long time ago.
The Markina-Xemein cemetery is also a protected monument.