|
Seaside Market
 The Riverside Market, located near the estuary, is one of the most important trade centres in Vizcaya. Since its early days in the 14 th century, it has established an important socio-economic network in the nearby area that is nowadays undergoing changes related to urban development.
In 1929, the architect Pedro Ispizua was asked to build the market. The result was a very modern building, functional and monumental, resembling a factory inside, without columns and with ample open spaces apt for good ventilation. Illumination was a key concern when the market was built; being zenithal, light cuts across floors, made with translucent materials, providing the whole building with natural illumination. On the outside, the market is decorated in Art Deco style combining glass windows, ornaments, lattices and stone carvings.
In 1971, the Riverside Market stopped being the region's wholesale supply centre to become a more restricted regional market, for customers in the Old Quarter and Bilbao La Vieja. As the level of activity and sales declined, it was likely that the market would be closed. However, in 1984, after intense remodelling works following the 1983 flood, new stalls were designed following the structure determined by the existing internal walls, with new supplies of electricity and water.
 In 1990, the Riverside Market entered the Guiness Book of Records as the most complete city market, since it has the highest number of stalls and shopkeepers, as well as the largest covered area in Europe (10,000 m 2 ).
LOCATION
The market used to be located at Plaza Mayor, surrounded by San Antón church and the old City Hall, the riverside houses and the estuary. Nowadays, it lies in the heart of the Old Quarter, on Ribera Street, surrounded by monuments as in the old location, except for the City Hall, which is in Campo Volantín. Conde de Mirasol pedestrian street and San Antón bridge come out onto the market.
MAIN FEATURESS
The market has 3 floors and 186 shops, where buyers can find all kinds of foods. The ground floor is devoted to fish products (seafood, frozen fish, and others); in the first floor, there are all the stalls selling meat (butcher's shops, charcuteries, and pork butcher's shops); last but not least, the second floor is the place for fruit and vegetables.
In these days, the market is about to undergo a new, long period of remodelling works to maximise the space available, which will result in more comfort both for buyers and shopkeepers.
HOW TO GET THERE
As the Riverside Market is located in the Old Quarter, it is very easy to reach it by different means of transport:
The underground takes you to Casco Viejo station, Plaza Unamuno exit, 5 minutes' walk from the market.
.
As regards trolleys, they stop at the market's door.
Bilbobus's lines that stop by are 11, 22, 40, 50, 56, 58, 75, 77, 85.
OPENING HOURS
Mon-Thu: 08:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 19:00
Fri- and days prior to public holidays: 08:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 19:30
Sat: 08:30 to 14:30
Summer opening hours (15 June-15 September)
Mon-Thu, Sat: 08:00 to 14:30
Fri: 08:00 to 14:30 and 16:30 to 19:30
PHONE NUMBER
94 415 70 86
|
