Bilbao used to be one of the ugliest cities in Spain. Now, with the Guggenheim and the city renewal, that's changing fast. One of the reasons why the city was so awful, was that this has always been an industrial city. There used to be many factories polluting the air, and the sights, in the suburbs. But this industrial activity was also one of the reasons for its success. Bilbao has always been a rich and powerful city because many companies and financial institutions had their central headquarters here. Thanks be to God that the polluting factories are beginning to disappear, but the financial power remains strong.
You're currently looking at the BBVA (Bilbao Bizkaia Bank) building, BBVA is the largest Bank in Euskadi (Basque Country) and one of the biggest in Spain.