basilica of begoña

We were there on a miserable February night, and numbers for mass were quite low. While the singing was lovely and the church nice - it's a lot more impressive than the church in the casco viejo - it was all a bit low-key. I suspect you need to be there in better weather, or better yet on a feast day to get the best of the experience.The easiest way up is to enter the metro tunnel located at the foot of the steps and take the lift up - you'll need to purchase a ticket from the machines.

A beautiful cathedral set on a hill in a park-like setting. This is the cathedral where the Bilbaoans celebrate Bilbao Athletico's victories. Our mass was in Basque and Spanish (with large screens to help with the words).

it was difficult to find it but the church is very nice, we saw the ceremony and children were singing so we really enjoyed it.

La Begonia is the epicentre of the Basque devotion to the Virgin Mary. We went on her feast day, a long with a zillion other devotees. An easy walk [and paid elevator ride] takes you back to the centre.

1620, exterior is gothic style, unusual. Opening hours for all churches in Basque Country/Spain are funny – this one was open in the afternoon from 18:00. If you are in Bilbao and in the area worth a visit.PLEASE NOTE: Bilbao on 2 and 3 July 2014 was pouring with rain and chilly. This is, according to the locals, typical weather even in summer.

This quote totally applies to this place. I loved climbing the stairs (which seemed endless at first), because every time I turned and took a look at the city, it looked completely different. Begoňa is located was a bit sketchy neighbourhood, I met almost zero people on my way there. Anyhow, I didn't like the Basilica so much. Seeing the lovely panorama of Bilbao from there was absolutely worth the walk though.

Not to difficult to find the really old lift that brings you up above the old town. Amazing vieuw above the Plaza Nueva and the city.This upper part of the city seems sleeping.The church was worth the wolk because people where praying the lithany of all saint while preparing for the mess of the 2 of november.

There are two ways of not having to climb the hill - a lift from the metro station and a pretty claustrophobic public lift about 100 yards further down which cost 95c. It was very scruffy and deposited you a little bit further away from the main drag. The church itself is quite nice, with modern cloisters - however, the real pleasure was talking the steps back down into Bilbao - they are right by the lift from the metro station.

It is very nice Basilica. And it is special in some way. The possible reason could be the spirit of Bilbao which is really wonderful and special city. So Basilica of Begona is also wonderful and special.

Finding this takes a little work. It's an awfully long hike up stairs..buy the 1.5 euro ticket at the vasco metro and ride the elevator up. But frankly there isn't much to see. The view isn't anything special, and the church looks beaten up. Not worth the trouble.

The heavily restored interior is not perhaps as interesting to look at as some of the other old buildings in the city - but - this is an amazing church with a wonderful atmosphere. I inadvertently joined a short, plain weekday evening mass; the church was packed with people of working age, not just old people and families with young children. The priest gave a thoughtful sermon in Spanish and many hymns were sung in Basque in this warm and friendly church.

Basilica of Begona in Bilbao is for certain the most beautiful church of Bilbao. The problem is that the church is situated on top of a hill and you have to climb about 285 steps. The alternative is to go via metro station of Casco Viejo and pay for the elevator (1.65 / Person/trip). Then you have only to walk for about 500m light up hill.

In the Unamuno Square there is one big stair named Mallona or Amatxu with 213 steps to arrive at Basilica Begonia(1620), gotic style.Nice place to pray and a beautiful view of Bilbao!!!

pretty place but is far away from the metro stationyou should walk like 20 min and is not very clear the right way.

The Basilica of Begoña is located at Calle Virgen de Begoña, 38. The church was constructed over a primitive hermitage starting in 1511, where legend says the Virgin Mary first appeared. It is known that in 1672 an etching of the Virgin was published. The constructor was Sancho Martinez de Arego. The church has a basilical plan and has three naves without a crossing, covered with vaults. The choir was the work of Martin Ibañez de Zalbidea and was finished in 1621. This work was in the Gothic style. However in the 16th century the façade was changed to a large triumphal arch in the Mannerist style. In 1835 during the first Carlist War, the façade and tower were destroyed. A new façade was finished in 1907 by Jose Maria Basterra and the sacristy was finished in 1903. In 1994 a restoration was made on the stone of the church and also on the clock, bells and carillon. There are 24 bells that were constructed in Sumiswald, Switzerland. The carillon was made in 1922 and can play seven melodies. In 1903 Pope Pius X proclaimed the Virgin of Begoña as the patron saint of Vizcaya. The main altarpiece is Neoclassical and contains the Camarin of the Virgin (Virgin’s chamber).