Dona Casilda Iturrizar Park | Bilbao

Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park is the primary green space in central Bilbao, located in the Abando district. It is colloquially known as Parque de los Patos (Duck Park).

Visual Characteristics

The park features a Romantic-style English garden layout with wide tree-lined avenues, large lawns, and botanical diversity. It contains a central pond, a neoclassical pergola, and various monuments. The landscape serves as a transition between the traditional 19th-century Ensanche and the modern Abandoibarra riverside development.

Location & Access

Address: Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Biscay.

Transit: Closest Metro station is Moyua or Indautxu; Tram stop Guggenheim or Abandoibarra.

Access: Open 24 hours; free entry.

Key Highlights

The Pond: A central water feature home to various species of ducks, swans, and peacocks.

Cybernetic Fountain: Located at the northern end, offering light and sound shows during summer festivals.

The Pergola: A semicircular neoclassical structure used for concerts and events.

Statue of Doña Casilda: A monument dedicated to Casilda Iturrizar, who donated the land to the city.

Historical Context

Inaugurated in 1907, the park was designed by architect Ricardo Bastida and engineer Juan de Eguiraun. For decades, it was the only significant public park in Bilbao. In the early 2000s, it was expanded to integrate with the new areas surrounding the Guggenheim Museum and the Iberdrola Tower.

Nearby Landmarks

Bilbao Fine Arts Museum: Located within the park grounds (East).

Iberdrola Tower: 0.1km North.

Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall: 0.3km West.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: 0.5km Northeast.