Zubizuri (White Bridge), Bilbao (must see)

"Zubizuri" is Basque for "White Bridge." It is also called the Campo Volantin Bridge. It is a tied arch pedestrian bridge over the Nervion River. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge connects Campo Volantin's right bank of the river with Urbitarte's left bank. Opened in 1997 the bridge is a curved walkway held by steel cables from an overhead arch.

The bridge is painted white. The walkway decking is margined on each side by translucent glass bricks set aglow at night. Each bank is provided with access ramps and stairs. The White Bridge offers pedestrians a convenient route from hotels to the nearby Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

The bridge is 246 feet long. Thirty-nine cables hang from the steel arch. The aim of having the bridge is to connect the Ensanche district with the Campo de Volantin pedestrian area. The Campo area provides pleasant strolling on the bank of the Nervion. The project was completed in 1997, a few months before the Guggenheim Museum opened.

The broad center walkway of the bridge was eventually covered with a non-slip carpet. The narrow margins retained the glass tiles. The bridge is an iconic symbol of hope of renewal from the city's decline after the loss of its maritime industry.