Ever since the first stone of the Plaza Nueva was laid in the early 19th century, it has beсome a part of Bilbao’s history for being the main witness of the city’s socio-economic life.

The square is located in the heart of Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), which was the starting point of the city 700 years ago. At some point, there was a wide swamp in its place that served as an integral link between Bilbao and its neighbouring fishermen area of San Nicholas.

The fate of many famous figures is connected to this place in one way or another. They say that the first stone of the Plaza Nueva was laid by none other than King Ferdinand VII of Spain. In 1865, Manuel Losada, a renowned Spanish artist, was born near the square. Aside from his paintings, he is known for founding the Basque Artists Association and later becoming the director of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. In the second half of the 19th century, young Miguel de Unamuno, a Spanish existentialist philosopher and public figure, was spotted there. He went down in history as one of the writers of the Generation of '98, who had an acute reaction to the final fall of the Spanish Empire and reflected it in their art. If the Plaza Nueva could talk, it would probably tell even more stories about people it met and events that took place on its grounds.

The square is surrounded by buildings with colonnades from each side and reminiscent of a large yet cosy courtyard. Today it is a true model of neoclassical architecture, although not too long ago it looked more like an Ancient Greek garden dotted with acacia and magnolia trees. After the construction of an underground car lot in 1966, the Plaza Nueva was left treeless.

One of the facades that face the square is decorated with a clock and coat of arms of Biscay. Previously, it was the building of the Government of this Basque Country province. And today it’s occupied by the Royal Academy of the Basque Language.

Nevertheless, the main tourist attractions of the Plaza Nueva were and are its numerous cafes and restaurants, along with a flea market that has been taking place at the square every Sunday for many years.