8-PLAZA VIEJA AND HANGING BRIDGE
San Francisco Hanging Bridge —referred to in the popular song— was the work of Antonio Goicoechea, built in 1828. Its design, without piers in the riverbed, reduced the danger from floods during the frequent high river levels or aguaduchus suffered by Bilbao. However, it was not able to withstand the damage caused by the Carlist bombs that broke one of its cables on 23 February 1874, with the platform left dangling.
Plaza Vieja, the primary area for dock work until the beginning of the 19th century, became the town market square during this period, which led to the displacement of the primitive wharfs, firstly to La Ribera and then to Ripa and the Arenal. During the siege
of 1874, however, due to military needs, it regained its old use, with the old wharfs of the Plaza being used to moor barges and boats, protecting them from bombs.
