"Capital of Basque Land" a Vitoria Travel Page by hartti

Vitoria enjoys an intense cultural life, as evidenced year after year by its most renowned event: the Jazz Festival. Its traditional, delicious recipes —based on fresh orchard products and always accompanied by a unique Basque wine (Rioja Alavesa and Txacoli)— will not disappoint. During almost the whole summer there is a great fiesta time.

Other big parties take places on 25. July "Día del Blusa", when everybody uses special cloths, and 4. August "Bajada de Celedon".

Besides summer, there are fiestas other times, too. For instance, "Ardo Araba" wine festivals in December. The organizers of Ardo Araba say that it is the most important wine-related feast in the world. It is a European reference and Vitoria-Gasteiz may be the Cultural Wine Capital.

is located at the centre of the Llanada Alavesa, or Plain of Alava, a strategic area in the past as it is found at the crossroads of a number of routes taken by different peoples and cultures in the past. Sanctuary of Estibaliz is a beautiful example of Romanesque art in this province as it conserves the characteristics of the fortified churches of the Romanesque era.

Next to the Sanctuary stands a Benedictine monastery that formed part of a monastery dating back to before the eleventh century. In the monastery they make and sell exellent wine and wine liquer Virgen de Estibaliz.

The Basque capital has a medieval city centre, in which it is possible to find countless places of great traditional flavour, such as Plaza de la Virgen Blanca (White Virgin Square), and historic buildings like the cathedral of Santa Maria.

The cathedral of Maria Inmaculada, also known as New Cathedral, built in the early 20th century, following a Neogothic style, is situated in the middle of the new center, just under the old town.