Invierno Winter 2018 |
VITORIA-GASTEIZ
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© Fundación Catedral Santa María.
It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage building on the Way of St. James.
Santa María, much more than a Cathedral Starting at the foundations, visitors gradually make their way up to the tower. The visit includes a tour of the crypt museum, central nave, ramparts, and triforium gallery. It ends, somewhat surprisingly, at the cathedral entrance, once a magnificent polychromatic portico. www.catedralvitoria.eus T.: 945 255 135
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he visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria (Vitoria-Gasteiz) is a truly unique experience. No other tour of an 800-year-old building reveals so much about the history of Vitoria, where a small fortified church eventually became the city’s cathedral. The tour traces the history of the cathedral by explaining the archaeological discoveries made during the restoration work, offering visitors a highly original
© Fundación Catedral Santa María.
perspective on events. Serious structural deterioration of the cathedral led to the development of a master restoration plan in 2000. Work is still ongoing. The cathedral has remained open throughout this time, allowing visitors to see how the work is progressing. So far, the ‘Open for Restoration Work’ exhibition tour has attracted over 1.5 million visitors who have walked along trenches and scaffolds (equipped with hard hats), viewing the cathedral from a completely new angle.
Ken Follett and Vitoria Cathedral Awarded a European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage in 2002, the Cathedral of Santa María inspired Welsh novelist Ken Follett to write ‘World without End’, the sequel to his best-selling ‘Pillars of the Earth’. There is a life-size bronze statue of the writer by local sculptor Casto Solano located on Catredral’s visitors centre, on Plaza de Burullerías (opposite the converted 15th century coaching in restaurant El Portalón). Tourists can often be seen posing for photos next to the statue. Located less than one hour from Bilbao, San Sebastian and Rioja Alavesa, the cathedral offers guided tours in several languages and is fully accessible for people with disabilities.