Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria-Gasteiz is a major urban and administrative center in northern Spain.

It serves as the capital of the Basque Country and the province of Álava. The city acts as the seat of government for the entire autonomous community. It houses the House of Parliament and the official residence of the Lehendakari, the regional Prime Minister. The municipality is quite large because it includes the main city and 63 surrounding villages. These villages are mainly used for agriculture. As of 2025, the total population is 260,402 people. This makes it the second most populous city in the Basque Country. It is also the 17th-largest city in all of Spain.

The city is known for its diverse and modern economy. Many residents work in the health-care sector or the automotive industry. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also a center for aeronautics, which involves designing and building parts for aircraft. Nearby, the region is famous for viticulture, the cultivation of grapes for wine. The city is highly respected for its environmental efforts. In 2012, it became the first Spanish municipality to be named a European Green Capital. The United Nations later recognized this work with the Global Green City Award in 2019.

This focus on nature means the city has many high-quality green areas per person.

The history of the area is complex and spans many centuries. In 581 AD, the Visigoth king Liuvigild founded a city called Victoriacum. He intended to celebrate a victory against the Vascones people. Some historians believe Victoriacum might have been located elsewhere, such as the Roman camp at Iruña-Veleia. Later, in 1181, King Sancho the Wise founded Nova Victoria. He built this new town as a defensive outpost on a hill. This settlement was located at the site of the older Gasteiz village. By 1431, the town was granted a city charter by King Juan II of Castile.

A major turning point in history occurred near the Zadorra River in 1813. This was the Battle of Vitoria, a key event in the Peninsular War. An allied army of British, Portuguese, and Spanish troops fought the French army. The allied forces were led by General the Duke of Wellington. They successfully broke the French lines and defeated the troops under Joseph Bonaparte. This victory was a precursor to the expulsion of the French from Spain.

The composer Ludwig van Beethoven even honored this event. He composed a symphony called "Wellington's Victory" to commemorate the battle. Today, a memorial statue stands in Virgen Blanca Square to mark this history.

The city possesses significant architectural and cultural heritage. The old town contains some of the best-preserved medieval streets and plazas in the region. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also notable for being one of very few cities with two cathedrals. The Cathedral of Santa María is a 14th-century Gothic building. It features a 17th-century tower and beautiful Renaissance images inside.

Visitors can also explore the Museum of Fine Arts of Alava.

For those interested in ancient history, there are Neolithic and Iron Age remains nearby. These include sites like Aizkomendi and the settlements of Lastra and Buradón.

Social history also plays a role in the identity of the city. There was once a Jewish community living in Vitoria. In 1492, the town council agreed to respect the Jewish cemetery, known as Judizmendi. This agreement lasted until 1952. To honor this long-standing respect, an artist named Yaël Artsi created a monument called "Coexistence."

The city also experienced significant political changes during the Spanish transition to democracy. In 1980, the Basque Parliament decided that Vitoria-Gasteiz would host the common institutions of the Basque Autonomous Community. This solidified its role as a political heart for the region.

The climate in Vitoria-Gasteiz is classified as oceanic. This means the weather is often humid throughout the year. Winters are much cooler than in the coastal lowland areas. Summers have high temperatures, but the elevation of the city keeps the nights cool. The city also experiences low levels of sunshine compared to other parts of Spain. This environment supports the many green spaces and parks that define the modern city. From its medieval roots to its status as a green capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz remains a vital part of Spain.