Bilwow!

In many parts of the world, time is measured before and after Christ. In Bilbao, it’s before and after the Guggenheim. Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the museum’s opening in 1997 completely changed the face and the fortunes of this industrial port city in the heart of the Basque Country, which was in desperate need of regeneration following flooding in the 80s that destroyed much of Bilbao and saw 35,000 jobs lost.

Gehry’s magnificent sculpture, which sits on the Nervión River, looks different from every angle, offering new colours, shapes and perspectives, depending on the time of the day and the location you’re looking at it from. My first glimpse comes on day one. I wake up feeling fresh after a restful night’s sleep in) and decide to make the most of the morning with a run along the river to the Guggenheim and back. The sun is rising as I make my way over the Pedro Arrupe footbridge, and I’m spellbound by the soft pink light dancing off the surface of the Guggenheim. It takes all my willpower not to stop and take pictures – it must be one of the most aesthetically pleasing 5ks I’ve done – as there will be time for that later. The city is still asleep, and bar a few dog walkers, it feels like I’ve got Bilbao to myself. I want to explore more, but instead save myself for the guided tour we’ll be having later.