wow, bilbao – guggenheim museum

the guggenheim museum – one of the architectural stunners in bilbao

after we got our baggage, we hopped in a taxi and headed to the apartment. the nighttime drive along the riverside was beautiful. the cabbie pointed out the palace of congress, the sheraton hotel, and then a few seconds later, the guggenheim museum: three thoroughly modern buildings all in a row. then we passed by a couple of modern, design-y bridges too. aside from paris, i couldn’t remember when i saw this much modern architecture in a european city. then we got to our neighborhood, casco viejo (old town), and it was back to tiny alleys and old-world charm.

the main attraction in bilbao is hands down the guggenheim museum. i know people who’ve traveled to bilbao just to get a gander at the guggenheim — not so much for the art inside but for the design of the building itself. it’s no wonder. the building is impressive and unlike anything i’ve seen before. on our many walks through bilbao, i’d stare at the guggenheim from all different angles. i couldn’t get enough of it. it’s just so interesting to look at. i was almost as equally enamored by the art outside of the guggenheim: puppy by jeff koons and mamán by louise bourgeois, pictured below:

puppy by jeff koons

mamán by louise bourgeois

i don’t know why some people poo-poo the art inside the guggenheim. it had a terrific collection of american art and a special exhibition on surrealism. once you’re inside, you can also see more of frank gehry’s brilliant design.

want more photos of the guggenheim and bilbao? click here.