The bridge's original glass floor caused frequent slips for pedestrians, leading to the installation of a black anti-slip covering in 2006.
Architect Santiago Calatrava sued the Bilbao City Council for adding a footbridge extension that he claimed violated his moral rights to the design's integrity.
The name Zubizuri derives from the Basque language, combining 'zubi' (bridge) and 'zuri' (white).
In 2007, the city installed a connecting ramp to the Isozaki Atea towers, a modification that was at the center of the legal dispute with the architect.
The bridge is officially known as the Campo Volantin Footbridge, though it is locally referred to exclusively by its Basque name.
Zubizuri, meaning 'white bridge' in Basque, is a tied-arch footbridge crossing the Nervión River in Bilbao. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge features a curved steel arch painted white, connected to a suspended deck by thin steel cables. The original deck was composed of translucent glass bricks, which were later covered with a non-slip black carpet to prevent accidents during wet weather. Its structure connects the Campo Volantin on the right bank with the Uribitarte area on the left. The bridge was inaugurated in 1997, coinciding with the opening of the nearby Guggenheim Museum. It is a landmark of Bilbao's modern urban renewal project. The design emphasizes lightness and geometric precision, characteristic of Calatrava's signature architectural style.
From the Uribitarte river bank looking back toward the bridge with the Guggenheim Museum in the background.
Wear shoes with good grip if visiting on a rainy day, as the deck can remain damp.
Visit at twilight to see the steel arch illuminated against the river reflection.
Do not attempt to walk on the bridge during high-wind events if local authorities have cordoned it off for safety.
