Plaza Miguel de Unamuno: Bilbao's Historic Square

The Gateway to Casco Viejo

Plaza Miguel de Unamuno is a prominent public square located at the northeastern edge of Bilbao's medieval quarter, known as Casco Viejo or Zazpikaleak. The square borders the Portal de Zamudio, an ancient entry point into the historic walled city.

Over the course of the twentieth century, the location underwent several name changes reflecting Spain's political shifts. Originally called Plaza de la Cruz, it was renamed Plaza de los Auxiliares in 1925. In 1937, it was redesignated after Francoist brigades, before ultimately receiving its current dedication to writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno in 1980. Unamuno, one of the city's most prominent literary figures, was born around the corner on Calle Ronda.

The Unamuno Monument and Its Turbulent History

At the center of the square stands a monument inaugurated on September 29, 1984, commemorating the 120th anniversary of Unamuno's birth. The memorial features a realistic bronze bust sculpted by Victorio Macho, positioned atop a hybrid Ionic and Corinthian column resting on a white marble pedestal.

The square reflects Bilbao’s complex relationship with Unamuno, whose public opposition to Basque nationalism and fluctuating political stances generated controversy. In 1936, following his early support for the Nationalist faction during the Spanish Civil War, an earlier bust of Unamuno was removed from Bilbao City Hall and cast into the Nervión River. In 1999, the bust atop the square's column was torn down and thrown into the river as well, repeating history before being retrieved from the water in January 2000.

Cultural Hub and Social Center

Today, Plaza Miguel de Unamuno serves as an active pedestrian crossroads and a key transit hub, featuring an entrance to the Casco Viejo / Zazpikaleak metro station. It is surrounded by outdoor bar terraces that connect to surrounding pintxo routes along Calle Iturribide and Calle Askao.

The square also anchors two major cultural institutions: the Euskal Museoa (Basque Museum) and the Archaeological Museum of Bizkaia (Arkeologi Museoa), making it a focal point for regional history and heritage.

Design Features and the Mallona Steps

Beyond the central column, the square incorporates unique public design features. A plaza fountain includes inscriptions acknowledging the four classical elements written in the Basque language: sua (fire), lurra (earth), ura (water), and haizea (air).

The square also serves as the departure point for the Calzadas de Mallona. Built in 1745, this steep stone staircase ascends from the medieval valley floor toward the Basilica of Begoña on the hill above.