About 15kms north of the city centre is the Great Biscay Transporter Bridge, connecting Portugalete with Getxo. This was the first of many transporter bridges built around the start of the 20th century and this one was designed by Palacio, a mate of Eiffel. It was the Guggenheim of its day, proclaiming to the world the wealth and modernity of Bilbao. Although not the largest of its type (that is in Newport, south Wales) the walkway across the top is open to pedestrians and the view is impressive.