[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao expansion and reopening

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-05 15:05 UTC → 2026-10-08 14:31 UTC · added removed

The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao has officially reopened following the completion of a major expansion and remodeling project designed known as ‘Agravitas’. Designed by architects Norman Foster and + Partners in collaboration with architect Luis María Uriarte. The renovation, which took over four years to complete, Uriarte, the renovation added more than approximately 6,000 square meters of space, including increasing the museum’s total area by nearly 60 percent. The architectural design utilizes a new entrance atrium and exhibition terraces that connect structural approach functioning like a 55-meter steel bridge supported by V-shaped pillars. This elevated volume sits above the museum’s existing structures. The expansion transformed 1945 and 1970s buildings, allowing the original architecture to remain visible. Key features include the BBK Museoa, a former outdoor plaza into 1,300-square-meter column-free gallery for temporary exhibitions, new educational facilities, offices, and public sculpture terraces. The project also restores the institution’s first exhibition hall, featuring main entrance through the Atrio Arriaga, a fountain dedicated to composer Arriaga. 1,000-square-meter covered plaza. The reopening ceremony ceremony, which included performances by the Kukaihanda dance group, was attended by approximately over 700 guests, including Bilbao Mayor Juan Mari Aburto and Lehendakari Imanol Pradales. Following the ceremony, the museum officially reopened to the public on October 6. To mark the occasion, the museum institution offered a week of free admission. A significant addition to the museum’s collection is ‘La búsqueda del comienzo’, a group of approximately one hundred works provided by the late businessman Plácido Arango. This collection includes the sculpture ‘Bilbao’ by Richard Serra, which returns to the museum after being held in a private collection.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-08 14:31 UTC Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao expansion and reopening
  2. 2026-10-05 15:05 UTC Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao expansion and reopening

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.