In 1181, Sancho VI the Wise, King of Navarre founded the city of "New Victoria (Nueva Vitoria)" as a defensive outpost on a hilltop on the site of a previous settlement - Gasteis. In 1200, the city was captured by the troops of Alfonso VIII of Castile, who annexed the city to the Kingdom of Castile. The city was enlarged and in 1431 it was granted the title of city by King Juan II of Castile.
The main episode in the later history of Vitoria-Gasteis is the Battle of Vitoria during the Pyrenean War, which took place on June 21, 1813. The French troops were completely defeated by the Duke of Wellington and French control of Spain was over. There is a monument commemorating this battle, which stands in the main square of the city, known as the Monument of Independence - Monumento la Independencia. The city of Vitoria in Brazil was named after Vitoria - Gasteis.
The old part of the city (el casco viejo), which is located on a hill, is very well preserved and contains many wonderful monuments of architecture and history: Casa del Cordon (house of the 15th century), Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria (14th century), Museum of Archeology (16th century) and Torre de Dona Otxanda (the tower that houses the Museum of Natural Sciences). An extension (el ensanche) was built to the south of the old city center during the 19th century and contains the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca with the Church of San Miguel, Los Arquiyos (Gallery), and the New Square (or Plaza de España, a square where a street market is held every Sunday morning). Further south is Fray Francisco Avenue, a wide street lined with mansions, many of which have recently been adapted for public use: Ajuria Enea Palace (Lehendakari residence), Museum of Art, Museum of Weapons (Museo de la Armeria) and the Map Museum (Museo Fournier de Naipes).
The economy of Vitoria-Gasteiz is diverse and many manufacturing companies have their offices in the city, including Mercedes-Benz, Michelin and Eracleo Fournier. The city is the second largest city in Spain in terms of living standards, and there are many green areas and cultural places in the city.
Vitoria-Gasteis hosts two annual international music festivals:
1. Vitoria-Gasteis International Jazz Festival, July 10th to 16th
2. Azkena rock music festival, at the end of August and at the beginning of September.
The Humanities Section of the University of the Basque Country is located in the southern part of the city. Focusing on history and linguistics, the Alava campus also has the Faculty of Pharmacology, as well as some other technical, pedagogical and business departments.
Spain Vitoria attractions
| Basque Museum of Modern Art Palace of Ahuriya Enea House del Cordon Diocesan Museum of Religious Art of Álava Natural Science Museum of Alava Monastery of Saint Anthony Monastery of the Holy Cross New Cathedral Square of the Virgin Mary Blanca Cathedral of Vitoria |
Even before my first visit to Spain, at the mention of the Basque Country, I, like, probably, many other foreigners, thought first of all of Bilbao. Bilbao is a famous economic center and the owner of such an attractive attraction for tourists as the Guggenheim Museum, and an ordinary tourist who does not go too far into the details of Spanish political geography can easily mistake this beautiful port capital of the Basque province of Biscay for the administrative center of the entire autonomy.
However, the capital of the Basque Country, famous for its gastronomy and strong economy of the region, consisting of three provinces, is Vitoria, a city with almost a thousand years of history, which is also the administrative center of Alava, one of the richest provinces in the country. The presence of financial resources is felt here in everything: even a tourist who has stopped by for one day is given free glossy booklets, offered at ridiculous prices or completely free of charge tours of the old buildings that now belong to the municipality, the facades of the houses in the center are in excellent condition, unlike many other Spanish administrative centers. And the municipality gives away flowers purchased for the festivities dedicated to the patroness of the city Virgen Blanca (August 4-9), for planting in flower beds.
History of the capital of the Basque Country
Vitoria was born on the site of the small settlement of Gasteiz in 1181. The king of Navarre, Sancho IV, apparently not in vain called the Wise, chose a village located on a hill as a place for the construction of a castle-fortress in order to defend against the warlike Castile, with which he managed to break vassal ties later. Then the period of active growth of the city began: the military was replaced by merchants and artisans, life began to boil in the narrow medieval streets, numerous shops opened. In the following centuries, the central district of the city grew rapidly, looking like an almond from a bird's eye view. Today, this architectural ensemble is the main distinguishing feature of the Basque capital. By the end of the 18th century, the city had already gone beyond the walls. So-called "arquillos" appeared, terraced earthen mounds descending from the mountains where construction was being carried out, allowing the city to expand further into the hilly countryside.
Despite the turbulent military past (here, for example, in 1813, the decisive victorious battle with the troops of Napoleon took place in the War of Independence), today's Vitoria and its environs have preserved a huge number of old houses and temples. Economic Basques do not allow their architectural monuments to turn into silent witnesses of antiquity, interesting only to tourists and historians. The cultural component is combined with the commercial one, as a result, the monuments are restored and become available - often in a transformed form - for everyone. For example, the oldest 14th-century building in the Basque Country, Casa del Cordón, houses a fine restaurant, one of the most popular in the city for weddings and other large-scale events. In many surrounding villages (in Lagvardia, in particular), comfortable hotels are equipped in the houses of the 16th-17th centuries. It is hard to believe, looking at the house of some long-dead lord in the village of Argomaniz, literally standing in the middle of an open field, that a hotel equipped with the most modern equipment is hidden behind centuries-old stone walls and ancient window shutters.
In Vitoria itself, lovers of ancient architecture and just the curious are advised to visit the early 16th-century palaces of Bendanha and Villa Suso. According to the last built on the remains of an ancient city wall, the municipality offers a free tour during which you can see the mysterious tomb of a young girl found during archaeological excavations. There are many legends around this strange non-Christian burial place in the city, but the employees of the municipality, who regularly hold events in the palace, apparently are not afraid of ghosts.
Terrorism in the Basque Country
About the terrible: Many people associate the Basque Country, unfortunately, with ETA terrorism, and some of my acquaintances living outside of Spain wondered why we chose this region as a vacation spot: “there are terrorists there.” Often the notorious "fly in the ointment" spoils not only the entire barrel of honey, but also the reputation of the beekeeper far beyond the borders of his country. However, we in Spain know that the majority of the people of the Basque Country oppose terror, as evidenced by the recent rallies and black and white "No ETA" posters on government offices in Vitoria, written in Spanish and Basque.
Basque
The mystery of the origin of the Basque language, or euskera, as the locals call it, still remains unresolved. Various researchers confirm the existence of links between Basque and Iberian, Berber and some Caucasian languages (even with Georgian), but there is no clear and unambiguous opinion about its origins.
What is indisputable is that euskera is one of the oldest Western European languages, even older than the Indo-European ones. In ancient times, Basque was spoken over a vast territory - from the Ebro River to the Garona and from the western Pyrenees to Catalonia, however, with the invasion of Indo-European tribes (Celts, Romans and others), the size of the territory of use of this language was reduced. By the 19th century, the zone of influence of the Basque language had decreased by about half. Nevertheless, many Basque place names have survived to our times. Euskera is now spoken in the Basque Country, where it was recognized in 1979 as a second official language along with Spanish, as well as in a small part of Navarre and in the French Northern Basque Country, although the French authorities have not yet recognized it as an official language.
Food in the Basque Country
Spaniards, when they mention the Basque Country, usually first of all talk about gastronomy: “se come tan bien!”. The most famous "telechef" of Spain, Argignano, as well as such a master of cuisine as Arzak, are natives of the Basque Country. And who hasn’t heard of the famous Basque “tapas” - small sandwiches with all sorts of things or mini-portions of salads, fish or other hot or cold snacks. In the Basque Country, in almost every bar you will find "tapas", sometimes prepared as works of art. Every self-respecting Basque bar or restaurant annually participates in competitions for the best "tapas" of the year. Graduation certificates are proudly displayed in prominent places, such as behind the bar, which is usually made of dark wood. The region has rightly earned the glory of autonomy, where “it is so good to eat”, in the words of the Spaniards themselves (“se come tan bien!”).
What to do in Vitoria
If you happen to visit the capital of the Basque Country, be sure to visit the Mendizorros Sports Complex, even if you are not a big sports fan. The fact is that at a time when there are no sports events inside the complex, a food market will be set up right on the basketball court. Here you can buy the famous Idiazabal sheep cheese at a much lower price than in supermarkets, and most importantly, better quality. The vendors, using the richness of the Spanish language, do not call themselves "productores" but "elaboradores" (both words can be translated as "producers"), thus emphasizing the unique character of their own, often family-owned, cheese production. The secrets of making cheeses are passed down from generation to generation and are carefully kept secret from possible competitors. The author of these terms was entrusted with information only that cheese is usually boiled for 3–4 hours, depending on the amount of milk, stored in special basements for 3–4 months, and beech logs are used for smoking. Cheeses are also sold “for special connoisseurs”, “for an amateur”, which are stored sometimes for up to two years. Indeed, not everyone will like the taste, smell and cost of these cheeses.
Attractions Vitoria
For magical breakfasts, lunches and dinners with tapas and wine, do not forget about cultural values! Victoria is one of the few Spanish cities that has two cathedrals. In the old (XIII-XIV century) Cathedral of Santa Maria, restoration work has been underway for several years. The European Union has awarded the restoration project with the Europa Nostra, the largest financial contribution by the EU to Spanish cultural heritage to date.
The New Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1907–1973) is a modern religious building. Inside is a museum of religious art. All year round in the cathedral you can see the famous Neapolitan belen (a traditional Christmas miniature sculptural composition in Catholic countries), donated to the city by one of the patrons and consisting of 58 figures.
Pay attention to other places of worship in the Basque capital, as well as to the numerous parks surrounding the city. Believe me, Vitoria has many more interesting surprises and routes in store!
Spanish Chronicles
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Vitoria located in the province of Alava, in the north, being the administrative capital, as well as the second largest city. These fertile lands have long been famous for favorable conditions for winemaking and agricultural development, as well as an abundance of greenery and beautiful natural landscapes. Now, the city is well known for its large manufacturing companies, is highly revered by tourists and has an impressive number of architectural structures related to the cultural and historical heritage of the region.
Peculiarities
One of the main advantages of Vitoria is its old district of El Casco Viejo, which is located on a hill and has a whole scattering of interesting sights. In addition, in the provincial capital there are a lot of temples and monasteries, combined with flower beds and dense green vegetation, complementing the look of the city and giving it a fair amount of charm. The cultural program of your stay here seems to be extremely rich, including visits to museums, monuments and other interesting places. The urban infrastructure is characterized by a high level of organization, with comfortable hotels, cozy restaurants, many shops, shopping malls and entertainment venues. Suburban transport links are also well established here, providing a quick connection with other areas of Spain.
general information
The territory of Vitoria is just over 276 square meters. km, with a population of about 230 thousand people. Time behind Moscow is 1 hour in summer and 2 hours in winter. Timezone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in summer. Official website www.vitoria-gasteiz.org.
A brief excursion into history
According to one of the historical versions, the city was founded in 581 by the king of the Visigoths - Leovigild, and was called Victoriacum. However, the official date of his birth is considered to be 1181, when the Navarrese king Sancho VI the Wise created the outpost of Nueva Victoria, on the territory of the previous settlement of Gasteiz. At the very beginning of the XIII century, it was captured by the troops of King Alfonso VII, after which the local lands were ceded to the Kingdom of Castile. Soon, Vitória became a prosperous center for the woolen industry and the iron trade, and in 1431 the village acquired city status, granted to it by the Castilian ruler Juan II. In the following centuries, the most significant event in the history of the city was the battle between the British and the French in the summer of 1813. Until the middle of the 20th century, Vitoria was an inconspicuous town, until, thanks to the process of general industrialization in the Pyrenees, its attendance increased and its economic importance grew. The city received the title of capital of the Basque Country in May 1980.
Climate
The climatic conditions of the region are largely influenced by the Atlantic. Winters here are quite cool, but there are practically no frosts, and the air temperature is confidently above zero. Summer is hotter than on the coast, but not at all like in the south of the country. You can come here at any time, because the local nature amazes with its colors at any time of the year.
How to get there
The main transport hub connecting Vitoria with other cities and regions is a railway line that goes in different directions, including the neighboring one. Also, suburban bus service is well established in the capital of the region. The local airport is used mainly for cargo transportation.
Transport
Buses, trams and taxis are common within the city limits. The bicycle rental system is extremely popular, allowing to avoid traffic congestion and contribute to maintaining a high ecology.
Attractions and entertainment
The real decoration of the city are its religious buildings. Among them, a special place is occupied by the old Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria, built in the XIV century. Inside the temple are chapels with unique works by Flemish painters, as well as works by such masters as Rubens and Van Dyck. To this day, archaeological excavations are underway on the territory of the temple, during which many historical artifacts have been found in recent years. The new Cathedral of the Blessed Mary was born already in the 20th century, while its construction lasted for 70 years. Also worthy of special attention is the monastery of Armentia, which is considered an example of the Romanesque style of architecture.
Among other architectural objects of the city, the Bendanha and Villa Suso palaces stand out. With the latter, there is even a mystical story about the ghost of a girl, whose body was found during excavations, who cannot find peace in any way, wandering around the palace. Vitoria is also notable for its museums. Among them are the Museum of Archeology, housed in a building of the 16th century, the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum of Maps, whose collection contains maps created by Salvador Dali himself, the Museum of Weapons, where almost all samples are exhibited, from the Stone Age to our time, the Museum ecclesiastical art in the Catedral de Virgen Immaculada, the Museum of Fine Arts and other museums. Extremely fun and exciting in the capital of the Basque Country, a variety of events and celebrations are held, and the most popular is the summer Vitoria Jazz Festival, which gathers thousands of fans of this musical direction. No less bright is the celebration of the patron saint of the city, accompanied by a massive carnival and open-air concerts.
Kitchen
In the culinary establishments of Vitoria, guests are invited to try a wide variety of dishes for every taste, as well as appreciate the fine Spanish wines and the taste of the local desserts.
shopping
In shops, shops and markets, guests of the regional capital can buy goods of almost all directions, including items of Basque national clothing, expensive jewelry made from rare materials or simple souvenirs in the form of handicrafts.
Along with, Vitoria is the brightest and most colorful city, embodying the culture, traditions and customs of an entire nation. Beautiful architecture is combined here with a special atmosphere, rare hospitality from the locals and a unique romantic entourage that envelops the regional capital and makes it even more beautiful and attractive.
The inhabitants of this city claim that the capital of the Basque Country, the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, is very comfortable and pleasant. Its motto is: "A city made for life".
Hiking or cycling in Vitoria-Gasteiz is open to everyone. At your disposal - specially laid paths for pedestrians or bicycles (bidegorri). They pass throughout the city, linking to the Green Ring. This is more than a hundred kilometers of marked routes. And if you do not have a bicycle with you, you can rent one from the municipal service.
The "Green Ring" encircles the capital of the Basque Country around the perimeter. It includes 47 kilometers of paths and paths that run through the parks around the city limits: from Alegria, Armentia, Olarisu, Salburua, Sabalgana, the banks of Sadorra, Berrostegueta and Herrecaleor to Lasarte. It is a green landscape, consisting of forests, rivers, as well as all kinds of fauna and flora.
Vitoria-Gasteiz has been developed in keeping with its surroundings and rich natural heritage. The wet lands of Salburua and the vast lagoons, a few kilometers from the center, are home to herds of deer and thousands of birds. At the Ataria Information Center you can watch them up close.
In the main city of the Basque Country, you do not need transport to go to nature. Vitoria-Gasteiz is one of those cities in Europe that has the largest number of square meters of green spaces and park areas per inhabitant. It is conceived as a city for walkers and cyclists. Evidence of this are such places for walking as El Batan, La Senda Fray Francisco Cervantes, the ascent to the Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia, the parks of La Florida, San Martin, Arriaga, Hudimendi, the "Green Ring" etc. Going along these routes at any time of the year, you will certainly enjoy the picturesque natural landscapes.
Do you like hiking? To the south of the city are the Vitoria Mountains. Through Mendisorroza and Berrostegueta you can reach the peaks of Saldiarán, Errogán or Arrieta. Heading north, you will go through the mountains of Badaia, Arrato and Elhea.
Although Vitoria is far from the sea, nevertheless, there is also a beach and water here. At the reservoirs of Ulibarri Ganboa and Santa Engracia, you can enjoy visiting places such as Landa, Erpidea, Garayo, Marieta and Legutiano, where you can sunbathe, windsurf, swim and fly kites.
In the medieval quarter of Vitoria-Gasteiz, you will experience a history that no one has ever told you about
Inside the green shell of the city, like an almond, there is a Medieval city on a hill, the history of which goes far into the mists of time. The first thing that any resident of Gasteiz would advise you to do is to visit the Old Cathedral of Santa Maria, which is constantly undergoing restoration work, and at the same time it is open to the public.
Writers such as Toti Martínez de Lecea and Ken Follett drew inspiration from this cathedral for their works. The restoration works of the Gothic Cathedral, which have been going on for a long time, attract tourists and history buffs who can see how the building was built, how it grew and how modern specialists restore its unique beauty. The naves of the cathedral, its atrium, walls and triforium were visited by more than one million people during the restoration period.
Secrets of the Cathedral
Put on your hardhat and go on a tour with a professional guide in the Basque Country who will take you through the overpasses and scaffolding while telling you about the history of the Cathedral. Climbing the bell tower of the Cathedral, you can admire the beautiful views of the Medieval Quarter. Thanks to the special play of light in the Light Portico of the Paternin Chapel, you will have the opportunity to penetrate into the essence of the evolution that polychromy has gone through since the 16th century.
During the tour of Vitoria-Gasteiz Old Town, you can visit the Walls, Bibat (Museum of Archeology and Playing Cards) and the palaces of Escorias-Esquivel and Montehermoso, without making any special effort, since comfortable escalators will take you to the highest part of the almond-shaped Medieval Quarter .
The social and cultural life here is characterized by high intensity and innovation.
Masters of the cultural avant-garde work in the immediate vicinity of the Old Town. One of their latest offerings is the so-called Wall Route. Along this path, you will encounter facades and old walls filled with gigantic wall paintings by artists who have created an entire school of European artistic avant-garde.
Pay attention to the names of the streets of the Old Town: Cuchileria, Herreria, Pintoreria, Correria... They reflect the activities of one or another craft guild (cutters, blacksmiths, dyers, messengers, respectively...). On the first Saturday of each month, a market is held here, in which artisans and merchants of this zone take part, displaying their goods on the street.
The area is home to splendid Renaissance palaces such as the Bendanha Casa del Cordón, watchtowers, the most famous of which is the Portalón, which now houses a famous restaurant, and the lively squares of Bruglieria, Campillo and Machete.
The last of these squares, open towards the Gasteian district of Ensanche, is a quiet place that received its name from the oath that the Procurator-General took when he took office. The oath was taken on a machete, which was also threatened with cutting off his head if he did not perform his duties properly. Maybe that's why Vitoria has been such a prosperous city for many centuries?
If you are interested in contemporary art, then near the Medieval Quarter is the Basque Center-Museum of Contemporary Art Artium. This cultural institution is dedicated to collecting, producing, distributing and researching contemporary art. The museum, housed in a building of unique architecture, houses an extensive collection of Basque and international avant-garde artists.
Ensanche - a new district that unites the centuries
Virgen Blanca Square is located in the heart of the capital of the Basque Country, the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is here that Celedon arrives, the main character of the holiday taking place on August 4: he hangs over the tower of San Miguel, thereby announcing the beginning of the "Big Week". You will see the bronze sculpture of Celedon on the balustrade of this church and you can take a picture near it. Nearby is the Plaza de España, where the city hall is located. This place with terraces and covered galleries is especially popular with locals.
Dato begins from the square - the main street of Vitoria-Gasteiz, a pedestrian and shopping area, on which the figure of the "Traveler" stands out. There are also two shops of the famous Goya confectionery, an integral part of the city's history. It is unlikely that you will be able to resist their goshua, chuchitos, Gasteiz cake, chocolate truffles, basquitas and nesquitas, which are a great gift from the capital of the Basque Country.
Nearby are the 19th-century New Cathedral, the Basque Parliament next to Florida Park, the Basque-French Post Office building and the Palace of Deputies.
The way to the relics of St. James - Camino de Santiago passes through Vitoria-Gasteiz
The path to the relics of St. James passes through the very center of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Heading from the Sanctuary of Estibalis through the Old Town and the Church of St. Peter to the Basilica of Armentia, modern pilgrims get to know the medieval city. There are special signs on the streets and squares for them.
You can take a walk around the city and listen to its stories by ordering a tour with a professional guide in the Basque Country, Elena Vivas Garcia.
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