Bilbao is a great city for architecture. Most overt is the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, which blazed the trail for many more bold contemporary structures to follow. But those avant-garde expressions are set in a rich townscape of neoclassical and early modernist buildings (with a few gothic edifices sprinkled here and there). The contrasting styles complement and emphasize each other, and fascinate the eye. There are also contemporary hybrids and reinterpretations that add additional intrigue (depicted here is a great example).

This picture was shot in the lobby of the Melia Hotel. It is a newly architected building with many interesting facets, both inside and out. The materials and colors (which I have toned down in this image) and consciously artsy design beautifully exemplify this decorative city.

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