Free Tour of the Origin of Soccer in Bilbao and Biscay

Join our tour and discover the impact of the historical transformations in the Nervión Estuary, which turned soccer into a true mass phenomenon in the 19th and 20th century

Things to do Free Tour of the Origin of Soccer in Bilbao and Biscay

During the last quarter of the 19th century, Bilbao and many surrounding towns on both sides of the Nervión estuary underwent an unprecedented process of economic, social, political, demographic and cultural change that forever altered its physiognomy. The origin of all these transformations can be found in the Second Industrial Revolution, which meant the arrival of British workers in the mines and factories of the area and, with them, of a game in which two 'teams' composed of eleven people had to push a rubber ball behind a 'goal' line. These were the first manifestations of soccer in the area, a then unknown game that in just a few decades would become a true mass phenomenon. During this time, there were factors that helped to consolidate this sport among the Biscayan population, such as the massive arrival of Spanish immigrants or the achievements of the workers' movement and socialism, but there were also opinions against its diffusion coming, for example, from the embryonic Basque nationalism.

Included

Txakurraren iturria

Jado Plaza

Albiako Lorategiak

San Mames

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

San Anton eliza

Erribera merkatua

Errukiako Etxe Santua

Meeting point

Restaurante Peña Athletic del Casco Viejo

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