Vitoria-Gasteiz

This article is about the Spanish City. For other uses see Vitoria (disambiguation).

Template:Spanish city Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spanish: Vitoria, Basque: Gasteiz, known officially as Vitoria-Gasteiz in both languages), is a city in northern Spain, capital city of the province of Álava and of the autonomous region of the Basque Country, being the second largest city in the Basque Country by population.

History

In the year 1181, Sancho VI the Wise, King of Navarre founded the town of 'Nueva Victoria' as a defensive outpost on top of a hill at the site of the previous settlement of Gasteiz. In 1200, the town was captured by the troops of Alfonso VIII of Castile, who annexed the town to the Kingdom of Castile. The town was progressively enlarged and in 1431 it was granted the title of City by King Juan II of Castile.

The principal episode in the later history of Vitoria-Gasteiz is the Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War on 21 June 1813. The French troops were comprehensively beaten by the Duke of Wellington and French control of Spain was ended. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city, known as the Monument to Independence - Monumento a la Independencia. Vitória in Brazil was named in honour.

The old part of the city (el casco viejo), which lies on an elevation, is very well conserved and contains a number of remarkable monuments: Casa del Cordon (a house from the XV century), the gothic cathedral of Sta. Maria (XIV century), the Museum of Archaeology (XVI century) and the Torre de Doña Otxanda (a tower holding the Museum of Natural Sciences). The extension (el ensanche) was built south of the old city centre during the XIX century and contains the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca (a square where the Fiestas de la Blanca start) with the church of San Miguel, Los Arquillos (an Arcade (architecture)), and the Plaza Nueva (or de España, a square that holds every Sunday morning a street market). Further south, the Paseo de Fray Francisco is a wide street sided by mansions, many of which have been recently adapted for public use: El Palacio de Ajuria Enea (the residence of the Lehendakari), the Museum of Arts, Museo de la Armeria (weapons) and Museo Fournier de Naipes (playing cards).

Economy and demographics

The economy of Vitoria-Gasteiz is diverse, and many manufacturing companies have operations here, including Mercedes-Benz, Michelin and Heraclio Fournier, the latter being headquartered here. The city has been ranked second in standard of living among all cities in Spain, and first as to green areas and cultural places per capita.

The city is served by Vitoria Airport, from where there are flights to Madrid and Barcelona, and a daily flight to London Stansted.

Culture

Music

Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts two annual international music festivals:

• The International Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, from the 10th to the 16th of July
• The Azkena Rock Festival, in late August and early September.

Local festivities

The Fiestas de la Blanca festival is celebrated every year from the 4th to the 9th of August in honour of the patron saint of the city, and features a programme of special events, activities and free open-air concerts.

Sports

Club Sport League Venue Logo Deportivo Alavés Soccer Segunda División Estadio Mendizorrotza File:Deportivo alaves.gif TAU Ceramica Basketball ACB Fernando Buesa Arena File:TAU Ceramica.gif

Sister cities

• Anaheim, California (USA)
• Angoulême (France)
• Daïra (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)
• Cogo (Equatorial Guinea)
• Kutaisi (Georgia)
• Victoria, Texas (USA)
• Vitória (Brazil)

References

• Vitoria Jazz Festival
• Azkena Rock Festival

External links

• Official site of Vitoria-Gasteiz
• VITORIA-GASTEIZ in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa) Template:Es icon