Portugalete Iron Pier

The iron pier in Portugalete was designed by the famous engineer Evaristo Churruca to facilitate navigation and avoid accidents and shipwrecks. Begun in 1881 and completed in 1887, it is 800 metres long. The first 600 metres consist of an iron structure while the remaining 200 metres are made of stone. The pier was extremely beneficial for Bilbao's port activity and became one of the safest infrastructures in the whole of Spain as well as a favourite promenade and place of gathering for the local residents. The lighthouse at the end of the iron pier offers visitors one of the finest views of famous sights such as the estuary and the Vizcaya Bridge. The iron pier has been declared a Cultural Heritage site.