10 Curious Facts About Don Diego López de Haro, the Founder of the City of Bilbao

Sculpture of Don Diego López de Haro, founder of Bilbao in 1300

1. Don Diego López de Haro — the fifth of his lineage — was nicknamed “The Intruder” by the people of Bilbao at the time. After the assassination of his brother, the Lord of Biscay, he claimed the lordship for himself and had to confront his niece, María Díaz de Haro, popularly known as “María the Good.” Don Diego argued that there was no precedent for the lordship being held by a woman, and the title was eventually granted to him on the condition that, upon his death, his niece would become the new Lady of Biscay — which is exactly what happened.

2. He founded the town of Bilbao on June 15th, 1300. Before that, it was a small settlement of sailors and fishermen, although some tower houses already existed, as well as the Church of Santiago (today the cathedral) and three streets: Somera, Artecalle and Tendería. Ten years later, after his death, María Díaz de Haro re‑founded the town through a privilege charter, using the same terms as Don Diego — but without mentioning him. So Bilbao was, in a way, founded twice.

3. Despite the disputes between uncle and niece, their names remain linked at the intersection of two major streets in Bilbao: Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro and María Díaz de Haro.

4. Although Don Diego was Lord of Biscay and the town’s founder, he was neither born nor did he die — nor did he spend much of his life — in Bilbao. He was a man of wars and political intrigues, and his end came in Algeciras during a military campaign alongside King Ferdinand IV. He did not die in battle but in bed. Some sources say it was due to the plague, others to a gout attack.

5. The location of his remains is unknown, but what is certain is that they are not in Bilbao. Chronicles from the time suggest he was buried in a Franciscan convent in Burgos, alongside his wife, Infanta Violante of Castile — daughter of Alfonso X the Wise and sister of the man who murdered Don Diego’s brother.

6. Don Diego’s brother, Lope Díaz de Haro III — another powerful magnate of the era — died in Alfaro (1288) during a dispute with King Sancho IV “the Brave” over some usurped castles. He pulled a knife on the king, and the king’s men cut off the hand holding the knife with a sword and then struck him on the head with a mace, sending him to the next world.

7. In 1895, a group of Bilbao citizens organized an expedition to Nájera to reclaim the founder’s remains, but the Lope de Haro buried there turned out to be someone else.

8. Among the high-ranking positions Don Diego held during his life were: mayordomo mayor (high steward), royal standard-bearer, adelantado mayor of Castile, and general of the frontier against the Moors.

9. The sculpture commemorating the founder of Bilbao is the work of artist Mariano Benlliure. Made of bronze and marble, it depicts Don Diego standing, dressed in chainmail with a sword and dagger at his belt. In his right hand he holds the founding charter, and with his left arm he supports his warrior’s helmet.

10. The sculpture cost 55,000 pesetas. It was originally placed in Plaza Nueva, but was removed to make space for a music kiosk and relocated to its current position in Plaza Circular.