Information
Landmark: Azkuna ZentroaCity: Bilbao
Country: Spain
Continent: Europe
Azkuna Zentroa, Bilbao, Spain, Europe
Overview
In Bilbao, Azkuna Zentroa-also called the Azkuna Center-fills a once-quiet wine warehouse with art, music, and places to linger.Once called La Alhóndiga, the building was reimagined by famed French designer Philippe Starck and, in 2010, opened its doors again as a vibrant cultural hub where music spilled from its glass-walled halls.Azkuna Zentroa, named for Iñaki Azkuna-the much-loved former mayor who spearheaded Bilbao’s bold urban renewal-captures the city’s mix of history, inventive spirit, and sleek modern design, like sunlight spilling across old stone and glass.History and Architecture - The Alhóndiga, designed in 1909 by Basque architect Ricardo Bastida, stood for decades as a vast wine warehouse, its stone walls echoing with the clink of bottles.Shaped by French neoclassical style, the building stood with brick walls and airy rooms where barrels once lined the floor; in the late 1990s, Bilbao chose to give it new life as part of a sweeping urban renewal plan.Philippe Starck spearheaded the transformation, weaving the building’s original charm with bold, modern touches that gave it new life while honoring its past.Inside, his redesign bursts with energy-sunlight spills across textured walls, and colors shift from warm golds to deep blues.The building now features a central atrium held up by 43 distinct pillars, each carved with its own pattern and personality, from crisp classical lines to wild, dreamlike shapes.Blending these styles turns the building into a visual journey-you can almost trace it like a painting-while Azkuna Zentroa’s six floors brim with cultural, leisure, and recreational spaces.In the Atrium of Cultures, the beating heart of Azkuna Zentroa, Starck’s bold columns rise in a mix of shapes and colors, filling the space with an energy that hums like a busy plaza.The design invites visitors to slow down and wander, its columns echoing cultures and architectural styles from across history-a quiet nod to the center’s promise of inclusivity and diversity.Look up in the atrium and you’ll see glass floors revealing the shimmer of the pool below, a strange, almost dreamlike sight.Azkuna Zentroa also houses several exhibition halls where visual art, photography, design, and digital works rotate through the seasons.The exhibitions bring together local Basque artists and creators from around the world, sparking fresh ideas and cross-cultural exchange.The center teams up with museums and cultural groups to host pop-up shows, striking art installations, and hands-on workshops for the community.One of its biggest draws is the rooftop pool-its glass bottom lets people in the atrium glance up and watch sunlight ripple beneath passing swimmers.This design blends practical features with artistic flair, giving swimmers and onlookers alike an experience they won’t forget.From the pool, you can take in sweeping views of Bilbao’s skyline, a sight that draws people here to unwind.Inside, Azkuna Zentroa also boasts three cinemas showing independent films, world cinema, documentaries, and hosting film festivals.These cinemas work to spark a love of film in Bilbao, often screening foreign-language movies and hosting lively Q&As with directors.The center’s auditorium might be buzzing with a concert one night, a lecture the next, or a packed conference by week’s end.Upstairs, the Mediateka stretches across several floors, lined with shelves of books and magazines, plus rows of screens and headphones for exploring its digital and multimedia collection.The media library buzzes with life-quiet corners for reading, bright tables for study, and colorful nooks just for kids and teens-embodying Azkuna Zentroa’s mission to be a lively hub where people connect with knowledge and the arts.Nearby, cafés and restaurants invite you to linger over Basque pintxos, share tapas with friends, or explore flavors from around the world.Starck’s playful touch shapes these spaces, making them perfect for a relaxed meal or a quick coffee under warm, amber lights.Inside, a shop stocks art books, quirky gifts, and cultural keepsakes, often celebrating Basque art and design.All year long, Azkuna Zentroa buzzes with exhibitions, film nights, dance, live music, and thought‑provoking talks.It’s a place where culture sparks conversation and creativity finds a stage, with lively workshops, colorful festivals, and hands-on programs welcoming people of every age.Azkuna Zentroa hosts a mix of events, from Basque and international film festivals that spotlight independent films from across the globe, to lively dance and theater performances where local and visiting artists fill the auditorium with music, movement, and drama.Hands-on art and design workshops welcome beginners, kids, and families, sometimes ending with paint still fresh on your fingertips.You’ll find the center in the heart of Bilbao, a short stroll from the Guggenheim Museum and Casco Viejo.It’s fully accessible, with elevators, ramps, and adapted restrooms, and while entry is usually free, certain shows, exhibitions, or a swim in the pool may require a ticket.More than just a cultural hub, it stands as a vibrant symbol of Bilbao’s modern, creative, and inclusive spirit.With its bold design, lively rooms that hum with conversation, and deep ties to the community, it’s a place you’ll want to see if art, culture, or architecture sparks your interest.From its mix of whimsical columns to the glass-bottom pool that hovers above you, Azkuna Zentroa captures Bilbao’s inventive energy and deep cultural roots.
