Plaza Nueva, Bilbao facts for kids
The Plaza Nueva or Plaza Barria (meaning New Square) is a famous square in Bilbao, Spain. It was built in 1821 in a beautiful style called Neoclassical. The square got its name because there used to be an "Old Square" nearby, where the Ribera Market is now. Plaza Nueva is surrounded by buildings with cool archways, and you can enter through arches called cuevas (which means caves).
Contents
Discovering Plaza Nueva
A Look at Its History
The main building in the square used to be where the local government of Biscay worked. They moved to a new palace in 1890. Today, this building is home to Euskaltzaindia, which is like a special school for the Basque language.
What Can You Do There?
Under the arches, you'll find lots of traditional restaurants and cafes. Some of these are very old and popular in Bilbao. There are also shops selling gifts and souvenirs.
Markets and Fun Events
Every Sunday, the square turns into a fun flea market. You can find interesting things like old books, coins, stamps, and even birds and flowers there.
The square is also a popular spot for cultural events, festivals, and concerts. In 2008 and 2009, a big international chess tournament called the Grand Slam Masters Final was held here. They even built a special glass building for it!
Staying Connected
Since 2008, the Bilbao City Council has offered free Wi-Fi in the square. So, you can connect to the internet while you're there!
See also
In Spanish: Plaza Nueva (Bilbao) para niños
