Bilbao trivia questions

20 questions about Bilbao

1. 1. In which year was Bilbao founded by municipal charter?

   1. 1300
   2. 1100
   3. 1511
   4. 1800
   Show answer

   A. 1300

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao

2. 2. What type of bridge is the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge near Bilbao?

   1. A drawbridge
   2. A covered bridge
   3. A pontoon bridge
   4. A transporter bridge
   Show answer

   D. A transporter bridge

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizcaya_Bridge

3. 3. Bilbao's industrial growth followed the discovery of extensive deposits of what nearby?

   1. Coal
   2. Silver
   3. Copper
   4. Iron
   Show answer

   D. Iron

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao

4. 4. Which river joins the Ibaizabal to form the estuary of Bilbao?

   1. Nervión
   2. Ebro
   3. Bidasoa
   4. Urola
   Show answer

   A. Nervión

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao

5. 5. Bilbao is the capital of which province?

   1. Gipuzkoa
   2. Biscay
   3. Álava
   4. Navarre
   Show answer

   B. Biscay

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao

6. 6. How many streets made up the oldest part of Bilbao's medieval old town?

   1. Three
   2. Seven
   3. Twelve
   4. Twenty
   Show answer

   B. Seven

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casco_Viejo

7. 7. The Basque dish bacalao al pil-pil is based on which fish?

   1. Hake
   2. Anchovies
   3. Tuna
   4. Salted cod
   Show answer

   D. Salted cod

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacalao_al_pil_pil

8. 8. Basque bar snacks called pintxos take their name from what holds them together?

   1. A lettuce leaf
   2. A paper cone
   3. A toothpick or skewer
   4. A clay dish
   Show answer

   C. A toothpick or skewer

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pincho

9. 9. Which architect designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao?

   1. Santiago Calatrava
   2. Norman Foster
   3. Frank Gehry
   4. Renzo Piano
   Show answer

   C. Frank Gehry

   Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao

10. 10. Jeff Koons's flower-covered 'Puppy' at the Guggenheim Bilbao depicts which breed?

    1. West Highland White Terrier
    2. Poodle
    3. Beagle
    4. Dachshund
    Show answer

    A. West Highland White Terrier

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppy_(Koons)

11. 11. Louise Bourgeois's giant sculpture 'Maman', displayed at the Guggenheim Bilbao, depicts what?

    1. A tulip
    2. A spider
    3. A mother hen
    4. A crab
    Show answer

    B. A spider

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maman_(sculpture)

12. 12. San Mamés is the home stadium of which club?

    1. Real Sociedad
    2. Deportivo Alavés
    3. CA Osasuna
    4. Athletic Bilbao
    Show answer

    D. Athletic Bilbao

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Mam%C3%A9s_Stadium_(2013)

13. 13. Athletic Bilbao's players are nicknamed after which animal?

    1. Lions
    2. Bulls
    3. Wolves
    4. Eagles
    Show answer

    A. Lions

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Bilbao

14. 14. Bilbao metro's glass station entrances are nicknamed after which architect?

    1. Frank Gehry
    2. Rafael Moneo
    3. Norman Foster
    4. Philippe Starck
    Show answer

    C. Norman Foster

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao_Metro

15. 15. What is the name of the plump, arms-raised figure that is the emblem of Bilbao's Aste Nagusia?

    1. Olentzero
    2. Mari Domingi
    3. Marijaia
    4. Gargantua
    Show answer

    C. Marijaia

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aste_Nagusia

16. 16. In which year did the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao open?

    1. 1989
    2. 1993
    3. 2003
    4. 1997
    Show answer

    D. 1997

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao

17. 17. A critic called the Guggenheim Bilbao a 'dream ship' in a cloak of which metal?

    1. Copper
    2. Aluminium
    3. Zinc
    4. Titanium
    Show answer

    D. Titanium

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao

18. 18. What is the Basque language called in Basque?

    1. Euskara
    2. Galego
    3. Occitan
    4. Aranese
    Show answer

    A. Euskara

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_language

19. 19. Txakoli, a Basque speciality, is what kind of drink?

    1. A strong cider
    2. A herbal liqueur
    3. A slightly sparkling white wine
    4. A red vermouth
    Show answer

    C. A slightly sparkling white wine

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Txakoli

20. 20. Marmitako is a Basque fish stew traditionally eaten by fishermen catching which fish?

    1. Cod
    2. Hake
    3. Tuna
    4. Anchovy
    Show answer

    C. Tuna

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuna_pot

Using these questions

How do I use these Bilbao trivia questions at a pub quiz?

Read each question and its four options aloud, give teams about 30 seconds to pick a letter, then open the answer below the question. Twenty questions fit comfortably into three or four rounds of an evening.

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Yes. The page works without JavaScript, and the answers sit inside collapsible blocks, so you can print the questions and keep the answers for the host. For ready-made answer sheets use the Bilbao pub quiz kit.