Euskadi, or the Basque Country, is one of the places that can be safely attributed to the most unusual historical regions of not only Spain, but also of Western Europe as a whole. Settled in hoary antiquity and able to preserve its identity and culture, this region is worthy of the closest attention. Incidentally, neither the secret of the origin of the people that have inhabited these lands since ancient times, nor the history of the emergence of its language has so far been revealed.
Basque Country - where is it?
The region to which this article will be devoted is often referred to as Green Spain. Its territory, stretching along the Atlantic coast, is located in the northern part of the country and is separated from the rest by the Cantabrian mountains. And it is “green” because of the abundance of forests, a lot of rain and a mild sea climate.
The Basque Country is an autonomous community that includes three provinces with their capitals: Alava (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Bizkaia (Bilbao), Gipuzkoa (San Sebastian). Each of these administrative centers is a city that can charm and fall in love with tourists. However, the ancient settlements scattered in the valleys between the mountains, and stunning landscapes with green mountains, and the blue of the ocean also will not let you forget the original land, forcing you to come here again and again.
The mystery of the Basque language
In the northeast of Spain, where the Basque Country is located, bilingualism reigns. By the way, the second language, which is indigenous in this area, - Basque (Euskar or Eusker) - has nothing to do with Spanish.
Some scholars are inclined to believe that he came here from Georgia. In its structure, ancient word forms were found that belong to the group of Caucasian languages, as well as to the Iberian and Aquitanian dialects of the Iberian Peninsula, which, it would seem, confirms this conclusion. But many terms and names, which have no analogues in any known language of the Earth, still do not allow to put an end to the study of the history of the origin of this dialect.
Bilbao is the best city in the world
The Basques value the new and respect the old. And the amazing story of the capital of the province of Bizkaia, the city of Bilbao, founded in the 14th century, can serve as confirmation of this. Back in 1980, he frightened tourists with his neglect and dirt: a closed port, stopped plants, a catastrophically polluted river … But the new mayor performed a miracle, and over 10 years the city became beautiful, convenient for residents and guests, from whom it is here Now there is no end.
The Basque country, the sights of which can be listed for a long time, has been enriched with new stunning art objects. And this was facilitated by the decision of the city authorities to invite the best European architects for the construction.
So, the original entrances to the Bilbao metro are called “fosterite” in honor of the famous English architect Norman Foster (by the way, by metro you can get to the ocean). And in the very center of the city, on the site of an abandoned wine warehouse, Philip Stark designed a cultural and sports center, which was included in all the textbooks on architecture. The building of the Mariot Hotel is a Mexican masterpiece by Riccardo Legfetta, and the Congress Palace, designed by F. Sorano and D. Palacios, is recognized as the best parliamentary building in the world. It is not surprising that in 2010 Bilbao received the title of the best city in the world and the world urban award!
San sebastian
80 km from Bilbao is another major city of the Basque country and the provincial capital - San Sebastian, which is home to about 200 thousand people. The road between the settlements is amazing - it stretches along the ocean, revealing a beautiful panorama of the ancient land. And San Sebastian itself looks like a radiant shell, located on the shores of La Concha Bay.
By the way, it is considered one of the most beautiful and expensive cities in Spain. Just 100 years ago, it became the summer residence of the kings, which, of course, pushed its development, and now San Sebastian is another capital, the administrative center of the province of Gipuzkoa. The city shines with cleanliness and pomp. And since 1953, in September, the famous film festival is held here annually. In July, jazz lovers come here from all over the world.
Vitoria-Gasteiz - a city for walking
The capital of the Basque Country - Vitoria-Gasteiz - can safely be called a city in which a walk is a national sport. And this is not surprising, because there are 30 km of pedestrian streets, 100 thousand trees and 45 m² of green space per inhabitant. Such conditions led to the fact that Vitoria turned into a city with the highest quality of life.
On sunny days, locals do not waste time - they fill the narrow cobbled streets, strolling between the many shops, or visit small, tasty-smelling pastry shops. Indeed, where coolness reigns, everyone loves sweets very much, and this is an immutable law!
The city hall provided over 4 million bicycles to its residents for use in order to replace cars with them. For this, in Vitoria there are special parking lots where you can take a two-wheeled vehicle, and then leave it after long use.
A ring of parks was created around the entire perimeter of the city, and thanks to this, just 4 km from the city center, settlements of nutria, deer and wild cats appeared.
Attractions Vitoria-Gasteiz
In 1181, Sancho VII of Navarre assigned the city title to the settlement of Vitoria. Since its medieval layout, although it has undergone some changes, it nevertheless has survived to this day almost untouched. In place of the old buildings, new ones appeared, and the street layout remained the same.
The most ancient building of the city is the tower of Utrada de Anda, erected in the 13th century. In addition, the city has four beautiful Gothic cathedrals: St. Mary's, built in the 12th century, the church of the Apostle Peter (14th century), as well as San Vincento and San Miguel (14th century), where the patroness of the city of Belaya found shelter Mother of God.
Once in the capital of the entire Basque Country, one cannot fail to visit the Artium Museum of Modern Art, museums of natural history, archeology, Alava’s weapons and sacred art. By the way, the city even has a museum of playing cards, since it is here that their production is established.
There are a lot of interesting things around the capital
A very important role in the special charm of Vitoria is played by the beauty of the suburbs. Indeed, almost every quiet and cozy village around the capital has its own historical monument. This may be an ancient stone mansion, decorated with a proud clan coat of arms, and a colorful church. So, in the village of Mendoza you can visit the very interesting Museum of Heraldry, and in Salvierra, the attention of tourists will surely attract the Church of Santa Maria and the ancient fortress.
The Basque country is justly proud of its winemaking traditions. Therefore, having been here, one cannot fail to visit the Rioja Alaves region, famous for its vineyards. It is especially interesting here in September, during the colorful Harvest Festival, which gathers not only local residents, but also numerous tourists.
How the Basque Country has a rest: reviews of tourists
Euskadi is very fond of holidays, and that is probably why there are so many of them. Festive fairs, carnival processions, cattle dog competitions, bull races, tomato fights - these are just a small part of what can be seen in this seemingly measured and calm land.
People come from all over Spain and other European countries to the Basque Country for the holidays, because perhaps only here you can see so much fun, endless joy of life and the belief that everything around is beautiful. Basques like no one else know how to have fun, surrendering to it wholeheartedly, and those who at least once attended a city holiday tend to come here again.
