Almendra Route - Tourism in Vitoria-Gasteiz

The Medieval Quarters enable visitors to enjoy the history of the city, discover civil buildings, mansions, tower houses and beautiful temples of great interest as examples of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical art.

Route

Turismo - Rutas - Almendra medieval

View with Google Maps(Opens in new window) | icono. The Old Quarter in mp3

Starting point: Virgen Blanca square.

  1. Machete Square
    You will find a replica of the machete on which the city representatives were sworn into office. Enjoy the view of the beautiful Villasuso Palace, which was finished in 1542.
  2. The Arquillos
    These are the work of the Vitoria architect, Justo Antonio de Olaguibel, and resulted in a clever way of saving the uneven ground on the southern slope of the hill.
  3. Casa del Cordón
    Named after the Franciscan cord on the entrance arch. This mansion from the late fifteenth century hides a medieval tower of the thirteenth century with spectacular starry vault.
  4. Bendaña palace
    This is a mansion from the early sixteenth century built around a medieval tower. It now houses the collection of Fournier cards (in the Bibat museum).
  5. Cantón de Santa Ana
    An example of mural art in Vitoria-Gasteiz which is known as “The painted city”. Here you can see the mural “Cubiertos de cielo y estrellas”, a modern interpretation of Saint Ana kissing Saint Joaquin.
  6. Convent of Santa Cruz
    The convent -from 1547- features a monumental scene of the Passion on its facade.
  7. Mansion of the Gobeo-Caicedo
    This one of the clearest examples of Herrerian Baroque.
  8. Santo Cristo Chapel
    This chapel was built in the late nineteenth century and houses a Gothic sculpture from the fifteenth century.
  9. Santa Maria Cathedral
    The city’s famous temple (12th century) is on the highest part of the hill and holds the history of Vitoria-Gasteiz within its stones. The guided tour, completely accessible, is highly recommended.
  10. The Escoriaza-Esquivel Palace
    Built between 1530 and 1541, it is a key element of Vitoria-Gasteiz Renaissance.
  11. Montehermoso Palace
    Built in the first quarter of the sixteenth century, the mansion has been profoundly altered. It is the headquarters of a cultural centre dedicated to avant-garde projects.
  12. Walls.
    You may visit part of the old medieval walls.
  13. Church of San Pedro
    Built over a former parish church from the thirteenth century. It was attached to the wall and building work began in the fourteenth century.
  14. Tower House of the Iruña Family / Torre de Doña Otxanda
    Although the original fortified house dates from the early fifteenth century, the Mansion was rebuilt in the sixteenth century. The tower dates from 1970. It now houses the Museum of Natural Sciences.
  15. House of the Marques of Alameda
    Built between 1731 and 1735, it is a beautiful baroque house.
  16. The Álava-Esquivel Palace
    From the mid-nineteenth century, it retains the coat of arms of the founders.
  17. Lantern Museum
    Beautiful pieces of polychromatic glass that represent the mysteries of the night procession that runs through the city streets on the 4th of August every year.
  18. Burullerías Square
    This was an ancient medieval necropolis.
  19. The Portalón
    From the late fifteteenth century. It was an inn and stagecoach stop. Today, it is still a restaurant.
  20. Tower of the Anda Family
    One of the oldest buildings in the city. It was part of a defensive system.

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