Vitoria-Gasteiz
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- This refers to a city in Spain. See also Vitoria, Brazil and Vitoria (disambiguation), as well as Victoria (disambiguation).
Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spanish: Vitoria, Basque: Gasteiz, known officially as Vitoria-Gasteiz in both languages), is a municipality and the capital city of the province of Álava and of the Basque Country Spanish autonomous region, though it is the second city of the region by population (its population was 224,965 in 2004).
Vitoria was founded in 1181 by the King of Navarre, Sancho VI the Wise as 'Nueva Victoria' on the hill where the old settlement of Gasteiz had been. He built fortifications around the town. In 1200, Vitoria was passed to the Kingdom of Castile, taken by the troops of Alfonso VIII. The city was progressively enlarged and in 1431 was granted the title of 'City' by King Juan II of Castile.
The principal episode in the later history of Vitoria 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.
The old part of the city (la parte vieja), 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).
The economy of Vitoria is diverse, and many manufacturing companies have operations here, including Mercedes Benz and Heraclio Fournier the latter which is 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.
Vitoria hosts three annual International music festivals: A Jazz Festival every 10th to the 16th of July; Las Fiestas de la Blanca celebrated from the 4th of August to the 9th; and the Azkena Rock Festival in late August and early September.
Culture
Sports
Club Sport League Venue Logo
Deportivo Alavés Soccer La Liga Estadio Mendizorrotza TAU Ceramica Basketball ACB Fernando Buesa Arena
References
External links
- [Official site of Vitoria-Gasteiz]
- [VITORIA-GASTEIZ in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa)] ()
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