Vitoria, Spain

Spanish city
native_name = Vitoria-Gasteiz
spanish_name = Vitoria-Gasteiz
nickname =
city_motto = Haec est Victoria quae vincit
city_motto_means = This is Victoria which triumphed


image_flag_size = 115px
image_coat_of_arms = Vitoria coa.png image_coat_of_arms_size = 65px
image_city_

image_city_map_size = 300px
image_city_map_caption = Location of "Vitoria-Gasteiz" in Spain
lat_long = coord|42|51|N|2|41|W
time_zone = CET (GMT +1)
time_zone_summer = CEST (GMT +2)

---

image_skyline_size = 300px
native_language = Spanish
founded = 1181
community = Basque Country
community_link = Basque Country (autonomous community)
province = Álava
province_link = Álava
comarca = Vitoria-Gasteiz
comarca_link = Vitoria-Gasteiz
divisions =
neighborhoods =
mayor = Patxi Lazcoz
political_party = PSOE
political_party_link = Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
area = 276.81
altitude = 525
population = 226.490
date-population = 2005
population-ranking = 19th
density = 818.21
date-density = 2005
website = http://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/
postal_code = 01001-01080
area_code = 945

Vitoria-Gasteiz ( _es. Vitoria, _eu. 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: the Palace of Ajuria Enea (the residence of the Lehendakari), the Museum of Arts, Museo de la Armería (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. Currently the only airline with normal passenger services is Iberia operated by Air Nostrum with flights to Madrid and Barcelona.

Ryanair service to London Stansted and Dublin ceased October 2007.

Executive airline NordJet [http://www.nordjet.es/] has services from Vitoria-Gasteiz

Culture

Music

Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts two annual international music festivals:
* The [http://www.jazzvitoria.com" International Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival"] , from the 10th to the 16th of July
* The [http://www.azkenarockfestival.com "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.

Universities

The liberal arts section of the University of the Basque Country is based in the south part of the city. Focusing on history and linguistics, the Alava campus is also home of the Faculty of Farmacy, as well as some other technical, teaching and business related degrees.

Its origins date back from 1847 when the first Escuela Normal de Maestros de Álava was established. A whole other number of colleges and faculties were adopted in 1978 by the emerging University of the Basque Country.

Sports

ClubSportLeagueVenueLogo Deportivo AlavésFootballSegunda DivisiónEstadio Mendizorrotza TAU CeramicaBasketballACBFernando Buesa Arena

Sister cities

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

References

* [http://www.jazzvitoria.com/ Vitoria Jazz Festival]
* [http://www.azkenarockfestival.com/ Azkena Rock Festival]

External links

* [http://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/ Official site of Vitoria-Gasteiz]
* [http://www.euskomedia.org/aunamendi/129410 VITORIA-GASTEIZ in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa)] es icon