Page 146 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

144  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

i Vitoria-Gasteiz rulers swore to uphold the laws
or be slain. The square – one of
The inland city of Vitoria is the capital of the Basque Country Vitoria’s oldest – was also
and the seat of the Basque government. It was founded on known as the Plazoleta del
a hill – the highest point in the province of Álava and the site Juicio (court square), because in
of the ancient Basque town of Gasteiz. The city grew rich on former times public executions
would take place here.
the iron and wool trades, and today it is brimming with life.
Visitors come to see Vitoria’s beautiful architecture and
extensive parkland, and to enjoy its excellent restaurants
and tapas bars.
Exploring Vitoria Wellington defeated the French
The more impressive historic during the Peninsular War (see
monuments are concentrated p45). Beethoven wrote a special
within the relatively small con- concerto, Wellington’s Victory, to
fines of the Old Town; several commemorate this event. The
Renaissance palaces and the monument, crowned with the
most important churches are figure of an angel, is the work
located here. A good way to of Gabriel Borrás. Old houses
end the day is to embark on a with glazed balconies surround
poteo – a whistle-stop tour of the vibrant square, but the
several tapas bars to sample most important building is A figure of the White Madonna in the
the delicious local cuisine. the Iglesia de San Miguel. Iglesia de San Miguel
P Plaza de la Virgen Blanca R Iglesia de San Miguel + Palacio de Escoríaza-
On this large square, named This late Gothic aisled church, Esquivel
after the White Madonna, with Renaissance elements, Fray Zacarías Martínez 7.
patron saint of Vitoria, stands a was built between the 14th Closed to the public.
monument to a battle fought and 16th centuries. The high Stone was used in the
in 1813, when the Duke of altar, by Gregorio Fernández, con struction of this 16th-
is Baroque (1624–32). century palace. The façade
The church is devoted is Plateresque in style, with
to the cult of the White chain-like ornamentation
Madonna, and a 14th- running under the roof.
century statue of her
can be found in an R Catedral de Santa María
outside niche. (Catedral Vieja)
Plaza Burulleria. Tel 945 25 51 35.
P Plaza del Machete Open 10:30am–2pm, 5–8pm.
On the wall of the Iglesia 8 com pulsory. Reserve by phone or
de San Miguel facing the online. & 7 ^
Plaza del Machete is a ∑ catedralvitoria.com
recess that once held an The 13th-century Gothic Catedral
Plaza de la Virgen Blanca in the city centre axe on which the city’s de Santa María de Suso was once
part of the city’s fortifications.
The Autonomous Basque Government Preserved on the second buttress
arch from the northern end is a
Since 1979, the Basque Country has enjoyed broad autonomy on stone decorated with a rose-
the basis of the so-called Statute of Gernika. It has its own parliament like ornament, dating from
and government, while the region’s Visigothic times. The interior
official languages are both Basque is undergoing restora tion.
(Euskera) and Spanish. The head
of this government is called the
lehendakarí (president), and is
appointed by the Basque parliament
every four years. The parliament
building where the 75 deputies meet
is located in the Lakua district of
Vitoria-Gasteiz. Basque politicians
have long been putting the case
forward for a new statute that would
The parliament building of the ensure still greater independence
Basque government from Spain’s central government. A stained-glass window in the Catedral de
Santa María
For hotels and restaurants see pp205–6 and pp219–21

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