THE ISOLATED CITY
The last Siege of Bilbao, the longest suffered by the town in the 19th century, took place within the framework of the last Carlist War (1872-1876). It began on 29 December 1873, the day when the Carlists closed the river to traffic with chains at different points.
The town defences were a mixture of batteries, gates, trenches, barricades and closures surrounding the town centre. Military installations, such as the Miravilla and the Morro fortresses and the Abando, and Campo Volantín outposts, were located outside the town walls.
The siege’s worst stage began on Saturday 21 February with the bombardment of the town. The Carlists were able to shell Bilbao with ease because the Liberal army was bogged down by the bloody and renowned Battles of Somorrostro.
During the more than 120 days that the Siege lasted, 6,785 projectiles were counted. Rationing was established from 23 March, and the town suffered numerous material and human losses.
After the Carlist defeat at the Battles of Somorrostro, government troops managed to lift the Siege, entering via
San Antón Bridge, the only one the cavalry was able to cross, at five in the afternoon on 2 May 1874 under the command of General Concha.
