Bilbao’s Etxebarria Park is one of the largest green recreational areas in the city. Located next to the Old Quarter in the Begoña district, it covers 170,000 square metres of land that until 1982 was occupied by an old steel foundry: the Aceros Echevarría factory.
The park is located on the slopes of the valley where the city is located and has excellent views of Bilbao’s Old Quarter, Arriaga Theatre and the Abando area. It is a true vantage point from where you can see the Isozaki towers and the Iberdrola tower, in addition to the estuary. From there you will understand why Bilbao is also known as ‘el Botxo’ (the Hole).
History of Etxebarria Park
It was after the city’s industrial reconversion in the 1980s when the dismantling of the old Etxebarria factory resulted in this gigantic public park in the city, which was added to the 23 parks and gardens in Bilbao with an area of more than 5,000 square metres.
In the heart of this park in Bilbao, there is a beautiful chimney that originally belonged to the old foundry, i.e. a tribute to the industrial past of this area that can now be enjoyed by all the locals. The chimney, built in 1943 and 25 metres high, is visible from many parts of Bilbao, especially from the Uribarri neighbourhood and Mount Artxanda. It is the only element that has survived from the old Echevarría factory that had been installed on the grounds of the old Rekalde farmhouse.
The Etxebarria factory
The old Etxebarria factory began to take shape in 1878, when José Echevarría and his sons Federico and José bought the Rekalde farmhouse and the adjoining land to initially set up a tin plate rolling and stamping workshop.
As the business activity increased, the family gradually expanded the business and acquired more land. For example, in 1886 the family began to manufacture horseshoe nails that were supplied all over the world and, in 1894, it reached an agreement with Siemens to install the company’s first steel furnace in Spain.
Such was its activity that the land the family had at its disposal became too small for an activity that was going full steam ahead and generating considerable profit. Hence, in 1963, when the factory had 3,000 workers, it was moved to Basauri and the foundry closed at its original site in 1982. Five years later, Bilbao City Council bought the land and almost immediately, in 1990, the locals began to enjoy this large public park which is now one of the city’s main green areas.
Activities in Etxebarria Park
During Bilbao’s Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia) festivities, Etxebarria Park plays a major role since it is there where over 70 attractions are set up and from where the fireworks are launched. Bars, tombolas, stalls, an animal-free circus, etc. are also set up there. It is a fantasy setting to celebrate the city’s great festival in style. Its temporary amusement park is dismantled as Bilbao’s Semana Grande festivities come to an end.
During the festivities, Etxebarria Park has at least half a dozen churros stalls, plus gambling stalls and skill and ability machines, bars, shows, etc. Not a single thing is missing, not even a giant Ferris wheel from where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Bilbao.
Every June, the Magic and Witchcraft Market is held in this park; it is a festival that lasts for three days. To mark the occasion, numerous activities are organised, including a large range of exhibitions and workshops on blacksmithing, juggling, woodcarving and ceramics, among other things. There is also live music, storytelling, theatre, street entertainment, fire shows plus lots of magic.
Etxebarria Park in Bilbao also invites you to take pleasant bike rides, use its sports facilities, or skateboard. It also has several children’s play areas, a botanical path, nesting boxes for birds and a gymnastics area for the elderly plus public toilets.
For those who do not know if they can resist a long walk through the park, remember that, since the summer of 2019, there are sun loungers in Etxebarria Park for the enjoyment and relaxation of its users and visitors. So there is no excuse.
