The Guggenheim Museum of Spain is located in the Basque Country, an autonomous region of Spain. The Basque people live in the foothills of the beautiful Pyrenees mountains. This area has more than 2 million people, most of whom live in the big city of Bilbao. Bilbao is considered the new and modern face of the Basque Country and the beating heart of this region. In fact, Basque is home to the Guggenheim World Museum. This city has been able to mix its ancient culture and tradition with the modern and forward-looking atmosphere and create an exceptional combination.
Bilbao is considered a leading tourist destination for lovers of art and design. This stunning city is surrounded by green hills and dense forests. Also, this place is located near a beautiful and quiet beach, which doubles the pleasure of traveling to this area.
In this article from Alibaba Tourism Magazine, we will take you on a journey in the heart of the attractive city of Bilbao and describe everything about the Spanish Guggenheim Museum.
The busy story of the tourist city of Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao is one of the most beautiful and attractive cities in Spain, which quickly followed the path of industrialization with the prosperity of the steel industry, transportation, shipbuilding and banking; But in the 1970s, this city had turned into a gray chimney and a serious economic crisis had arrived. But this city stood up again, tried to rebuild and revive itself and started a new journey towards prosperity.
In this way, the old industrial complexes along the Nervin River were destroyed and new projects were formed to improve the infrastructure and overall growth of the city. Next, the stunning and magnificent Guggenheim Museum was designed and built by the famous architect, Frank Gehry.
An endless rail system was also designed by the designer, Sir Norman Foster, and built throughout the city. An airport completely similar to the old Spanish architecture and a community center were designed by Santiago Calatrava and Philippe Starck and reached the implementation stage. The list of these revivals and renovations continued until a new face was created for the spectacular city of Bilbao.
Knowing this dynamic and progressive history of Bilbao, one can imagine how important the spectacular Guggenheim Museum is as a symbol of the leading Spanish culture and art.
If you travel to Bilbao; You will experience a city that is dynamic and free from stress and unrest. You can’t walk into Bilbao without being struck by the massive and stunning building of the Guggenheim Museum. This museum will be a sight to behold and unforgettable for all ages.
But also know that the attractions of the city of Bilbao do not end with the world-famous Guggenheim Museum. You have the chance to see many historical monuments and enjoy Basque food, markets, night life and entertainment.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
If you are thirsty to know the art and culture of the world; This museum is one of the sights of Spain and one of the best modern museums in the world. Spain, in general, is a destination for art lovers. This country has stunning buildings such as museums, palaces and very unique churches in its heart. One of the main reasons for this fruitfulness goes back to the rich cultural-artistic history of Spain.
Spanish art has taken many influences from world art and artists have created a unique combination of regional and world art in their works. The Guggenheim Museum in northeastern Spain is the crown jewel of Spain’s museums. This autonomous region, which fought for its independence, has raised many beautiful artists.
The city of Bilbao has two famous museums, the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao).
The Museum of Fine Arts displays a variety of works of art. Its works date back to the sixth century BC, which displays works from the past to the present day. You can see pieces by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Piranci, Fortuny, Cézanne, Picasso, Hockney, Bacon and dozens of other artists in this museum.
But it is the Guggenheim Museum that is known as the most visited and famous museum in the region. The Guggenheim is, on its own, an architectural wonder and a world landmark.
The stunning design of the Guggenheim Museum building
Perhaps, first of all, many people think that the building of this museum is more famous than the works displayed in this museum! This statement is not unreasonable, but in fact, it should be said that the building of this museum is considered a work of art, just like the works displayed in it. This building, which was built in 1997; It is considered a huge piece of art in the world of transformation.
The Canadian architect, Frank Gehry, was inspired by the rocks, ship shapes, fish fins and towers of this area to design the plan of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Gray designed the building of this museum in his mind, considering the historical and geographical context of the Basque Country.
This place was originally a place of industrial waste. In fact, it was part of the dilapidated and decaying warehouse of Bilbao on the banks of the Ria del Nervin. Inspired by the ancient shipbuilding and fishing industries of the city, Gary was able to design this gigantic building using the materials of these regional industries. The building’s titanium tiles are like a big herring that reflects the sunlight at different hours with different colors. Gary inspired this design with a childlike appeal from the fishing trade of Bilbao.
Giant works of art in the grounds of the Guggenheim Museum
Other artists have also been able to add to the beauty of the Guggenheim with their artistic flair. Fujiko Nakaya has designed a swimming pool between the glass texture of the central atrium, which forms a light mist on the windows. With this, he was able to create a special and mysterious atmosphere.
Near the pool of water, Louise has built a large skeleton-like volume called Mom. This figure is like a spider’s canopy, which is said to be a symbol of a protective embrace.
In the western open area of the museum, there is a fountain statue, which is loved by children. This statue suddenly throws water into the air like a firework, and it is quite ecstatic.
Jeff Koons has created a huge sculpture of a puppy, 12 meters high. This figure is made of thousands of begonia flowers. This figure is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
New Yorker critic Calvin Tomkins described the museum as “an insulated dream ship in a titanium suit.”
The interior of the Guggenheim Museum
In addition to the unique exterior, the interior of the Guggenheim Museum also has a lot to say! This museum has 19 modern and contemporary art galleries located on three floors and a central corridor.
The interior of the museum is very spacious and open. The central atrium is like a cathedral and is more than 45 meters high. The glass panels of the building are able to create a dance of sunlight in the space.
Permanent exhibitions are located on the ground floor. including the winding, high and steel sculptures of Sir Richard, which has created a spectacular and different atmosphere. There are also 9 LED columns from Jenny Holzer on the ground floor. These columns display phrases and fragments of various texts in English, Basque and Spanish.
Opening and first works at the Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the tourist attractions of Spain and was built during the boom of structuralism. This museum is a kind of symbol of 20th and 21st century art in the world. For this reason, he has tried to collect works that are true representatives of contemporary and progressive art. This museum is a shining light for the decaying former port area of Bilbao.
The mission of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was to collect, preserve and research modern and contemporary works of art. This museum was opened on October 19, 1997 with the aim of displaying contemporary art for audiences of different ages.
100 million dollars have been allocated by the Basque government for the construction of this museum, and tens of millions of dollars have been spent on collecting the museum’s artworks. In addition to permanent exhibitions, this museum holds temporary exhibitions and displays famous works of other museums.
At first, in 1997, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, exhibited an exhibition of 250 contemporary works of art in this museum.
You can see paintings and prints by Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Clifford Steele, Basquiat, Yves Klein, Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol and… in this museum. All of these artists are great figures of contemporary art in the world.
The permanent collection of the Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum hosts the works of artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Works created by Spanish and international artists.
If you are interested in modern art; There are works by Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning in this museum. Even if you are not a big fan of museums; I must say that the Guggenheim Museum is not like any other museum. There is no boring silence and slowness in this museum. This museum can be a lot of fun for anyone.
By seeing different works, your mind opens to new artistic techniques and approaches. It seems to show you that you can look at life in a new way. Even children can enjoy this museum.
Seven very famous works of the Guggenheim Museum
Although all the works of this museum are very spectacular, 7 of the best works are as follows.
1. “Untitled” by Mark Rothko
This classic piece was painted by Mark Rothko between 1952 and 1953. This work is recorded on a huge board with bright colors. Rothko is an American artist and is considered one of the main figures of the New York school and style. According to the artist himself, this piece prohibits basic human emotions, tragedy, inspiration, torment, etc. The untitled piece has been shown for the first time at the Art Institute of Chicago.
2. The famous orders of the night by Anselm Kiefer
The Renowned Orders Of The Night” by Anselm Kiefer
Kiefer was born in Germany shortly before World War II. Many of his works are inspired by war and fascism. In this piece, you can see the artist himself lying on a dry and barren land and staring at the starry sky. It is interesting to know that in his later works, Kiefer immerses himself in the night sky and creates many works to explore the beauty of the night.
3. Nine Orations on Commodus by C. Twombly
Nine Discourses On Commodus” by Cy Twombly
Twombly was an American painter and this work is actually a set of 9 pieces. The theme of these works goes back to the brutality and madness and finally the murder of the Roman Empire. The paintings of this artist have the quality of graffiti art. In this collection of paintings, Twombly has depicted the transformation of a peaceful atmosphere into extreme violence.
4. The Problem of Time by Richard Serra
(The Matter of Time” by Richard Serra)
This strange work was created between 1994 and 2005 in a set of eight by Richard Serer. These volumes are made of steel.
Steel forms start from simple ovals and evolve to complex spirals and perfect spheres. Touring among these forms and watching its artistic change and evolution will make you feel the meaning of the passage of time.
5. Barg by Robert Rauschenberg
Barge” by Robert Rauschenberg
This piece was created between 1962 and 1963. At that time Rauschenberg was influenced by Andy Warhol. He created his work with oil and silk screen on canvas. In this work, the artist’s own photos and image sources from the media of that time are used. Inspired by Warhol, Rauschenberg brought maps, texts from newspapers and magazines into his work.
6. How deep is the air by Eduardo Chileda
How Profound Is The Air” by Eduardo Chillida
This unique piece was created in 1996 by Basque artist Chileda. He is a very famous Spanish artist of the 20th century. Chillida first went to architecture and then followed painting until he finally reached the art of sculpture. Most of his sculptures seek to explore form and space. He also created works representing Basque traditions in agriculture, architecture and industry.
7. Seascapes by Gerhard Richter
Seascape” by Gerhard Richter
Gerhard used his personal photographs for many years and used them as the basis for his paintings. He drew this painting based on a photo he took on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands of Spain.
What days and hours can you go to the Guggenheim Museum?
The Guggenheim Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is only open on Mondays in July and August.
How much is the entrance ticket to the Guggenheim Museum?
The price of the museum ticket varies according to the type of visit you choose and the visiting season. Children under the age of 12 are also free to enter.
The good thing about getting a ticket from this museum is that it is for a whole day. You can leave the museum, take a rest or eat, and then return to the museum and continue visiting the works.
Three private and exciting tours of the Guggenheim Museum
You can visit this museum in the following ways.
1. Bilbao city tour and Guggenheim Museum
In this half-day trip, you have the chance to visit the beautiful city of Bilbao and go to the Guggenheim Museum for two hours. This tour has a world standard. You have the chance to go with the tour to the old streets of Bilbao and get a deeper knowledge of the Basque people. This short but fun trip starts from San Sebastian.
2. A completely private two-hour tour of the Guggenheim Museum
If you are a very serious fan of avant-garde art and art in general; Choosing a private tour is the best option. Going with a tour guide, on your own, gives you the opportunity to make the most of your time. See as many works as possible and learn more about the history of the museum and its artists. This tour is for two hours and you will know one of the most masterpiece museums in the world.
3. Small group tour (Bilbao, Guggenheim and Gaztelugatche)
You can experience the Basque Country with this tour much more than visiting a museum. This tour is a full day and for lunch you will go to a very nice local restaurant. You visit many historical monuments. After that, you will have a pleasant walk along the river to reach the Gungheim Museum. If you join this tour, you will spend a whole day in the heart of the culture of the Basque people.
Before visiting the Guggenheim Museum, you should know that…
- Tourists can join the group tours of the museum, which are in Spanish. You can also take part in private tours in English. Another way is to choose a free audio guide that is available in several languages. It is interesting to know that the audio guide is provided separately for children.
- Video guidance is also available for hearing impaired people. This museum also provides facilities for traveling in the museum with a wheelchair and you can even rent a wheelchair.
- There are many tours to visit inside and outside the museum. It is better to check all the tours first and then choose a tour that suits your conditions. You can get useful information about this from the museum admission department.
- It is very hot outside in the summer months, but inside the museum there is a cooling system and the air is very cool. So don’t be fooled by the weather outside and have a warmer outfit with you.
- You are not allowed to bring very large bags into the museum. Try to carry only your essentials in a small handbag.
- The Guggenheim Museum is located in the center of Bilbao. You can easily walk to the museum from the city center. You can also take the Terme or the subway, which has a designated stop for the Guggenheim Museum.
- The Guggenheim Museum is very crowded on the weekend and it is better for you to visit this museum early in the week.
- The Basque region experiences many rainy days throughout the year. You can go to the museum on these rainy days, which is completely covered, and the rain will not cause any problem for your adventure.
Finally, it should be said that the definition of museum and museum tourism is changing day by day. Big and famous museums such as the Guggenheim Museum are trying to create a more dynamic atmosphere in the museum. These museums actively involve you in the works.
Visiting a museum can be an opportunity to practice knowing new things… as if you don’t just see specific works, but open your mind and feelings to new things… maybe traveling itself has the same meaning… an adventure and an attempt to experience completely new worlds and concepts… It is as if you create the opportunity of several different lives for yourself just by living once…
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