At the time of its opening, and during centuries, it was the only bridge that crossed the river.

The San Antón Bridge is one of Bilbao's emblems and it is depicted on the city's coat of arms (as well as the crest of the local football club, Athletic Bilbao).

This bridge has a great historical importance, as the merchants were forced to use it to carry their products from Biscay to Castile as it was the only bridge that crossed the river.

[1] Several floods have pulled down the bridge several times; to solve the problem the city hall decided to build a completely new one by the end of the 19th century.

The new bridge was finished in 1880; the opening was delayed after it suffered damage on the Carlist Wars.