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Home > Travel Spain > Spain Destinations > Vitoria Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Spain, also known as Kingdom of Spain, is one of the oldest inhabited regions on the planet. It is a country which is located in Southern Europe, and politically organized as a parliamentary monarchy. It is the largest sovereign nation of the three nations that make up the Iberian Peninsula. Administratively, Spain is divided into 50 provinces, grouped into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities with a high degree of autonomy. The name Spain comes from the Latin name Hispania whose capital is Madrid this is also the largest city of the Country.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is a city in northern Spain, capital city of the province of Alava and of the autonomous region of the Basque Country, being the second largest city in the Basque Country by population. 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.
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 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.
Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts two annual international music festivals like as The International Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, from the 10th to the 16th of July and The Azkena Rock Festival, in late August and early September. The Fiestas de la Blanca festival is celebrated every year from the fourth to the ninth of August in honour of the patron saint of the city, and features a programme of special events, activities and free open air concerts.
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