Euskadi / Basque Country

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence.

Jeff Koons´ "Puppy" guards the entrance of the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao. The museum, designed by architect Frank O. Gehry, was inaugurated in 1997 by the past King Juan Carlos I of Spain. www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/en/

Sunday afternoon all senior citizens of Bilbao seem to meet around the bandstand on the Etxetxua Plaza. They come to dance - and as they all were very "inviting", the senior tourists could join them.

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Oficina de Correos -Post Office

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Construction of the Cathedral of Santa María in Gothic style began in the late 13th century and continued throughout the 14th century. It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defenses. From 1496 to 1861 it served as a collegiate church. In 1862 the church became the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Vitoria until the new María Inmaculada Cathedral was completed in 1914. It has a Latin-cross plan, with a wide transept crossing and circular apse containing several chapels.

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Construction of the Cathedral of Santa María in Gothic style began in the late 13th century and continued throughout the 14th century. It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defenses. From 1496 to 1861 it served as a collegiate church. In 1862 the church became the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Vitoria until the new María Inmaculada Cathedral was completed in 1914. Structural problems such as inadequate foundations became apparent as early as the expansion of the church in the 16th and 17th centuries. The visible shifts were counteracted with reinforcements and additional flying buttresses inside.

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Construction of the Cathedral of Santa María in Gothic style began in the late 13th century and continued throughout the 14th century. It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defenses. From 1496 to 1861 it served as a collegiate church. In 1862 the church became the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Vitoria until the new María Inmaculada Cathedral was completed in 1914.

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Construction of the Cathedral of Santa María in Gothic style began in the late 13th century and continued throughout the 14th century. It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defenses. From 1496 to 1861 it served as a collegiate church. In 1862 the church became the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Vitoria until the new María Inmaculada Cathedral was completed in 1914.

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Vitoria-Gasteiz seen from the tower of the Catedral de Santa María

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually 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 a city charter. The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence. Construction of the Cathedral of Santa María in Gothic style began in the late 13th century and continued throughout the 14th century. It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defenses. From 1496 to 1861 it served as a collegiate church. In 1862 the church became the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Vitoria until the new María Inmaculada Cathedral was completed in 1914. The main facade with three portals. The central one is dedicated to Mary.

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built.

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built.

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch.

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch. The tympanum depicts the Ascension of Christ

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch. The "Tympanum of the Lamb" following the inscriptions, John and Isaiah flank the Lamb. Below angels hold the Chrismon.

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch. Left side - Harrowing Hell Right side - Burial of Jesus

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch. A very musical goat playing the harp

The Basilica of San Prudencio is located in Armentia on the southwestern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. According to legend, Saint Prudentius was born here in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Armentia was a bishopric until it was transferred to Calahorra in 1087. The Basilica of San Prudencio then became the collegiate church of a canon's monastery, which existed until 1498. It was then that the canons gave up San Prudencio to settle in Vitoria. The current church of San Prudencio was built towards the end of the 12th century. Between 1773 and 1776 the church underwent major changes. The south facade was demolished and the porch was built. Parts of the church's original sculptural decoration were embedded in the walls of this south porch. A "spinario", a boy withdrawing a thorn from the sole of his foot.