When archaeologist and heritage communicator Xurxo Ayán described the Punta Begoña Galleries as “one of the most fascinating historical time capsules on the Iberian Peninsula”, he was referring to the traces left on their walls by some of the major events of the 20th century.
The galleries are much more than a series of walkways overlooking the sea. Their story began in the early decades of the 20th century, when Horacio Echevarrieta, one of the most influential businessmen of his time, commissioned a monumental belvedere on the cliffs of Algorta. He turned to Ricardo Bastida, the architect behind some of Bilbao’s most significant buildings and a key figure in the city’s urban development. Ahead of its time, Punta Begoña combined advanced engineering, the aesthetics of modern classicism and a theatrical approach to the landscape.
In the years that followed, the building served as a hospital, an air-raid shelter, military headquarters, a community kitchen, and a venue for games and celebrations. More recently, it has also been a place for leisure, occupation and social protest.
The virtual project A Journey through Time from Punta Begoña brings together the many stories uncovered during research carried out by the University of the Basque Country (EHU) and shares them with visitors.
Today, Punta Begoña is a cultural, educational and social resource for the whole community.
