Basque city in Spain 7 letters. Features of the Basque country: capital, population, language, territory
Day 1 12.06.17 Mon Arrival in Madrid at 22-30. Meeting at the airport. Hotel near Madrid
2nd day 13.06.17 Tue Segovia- an ancient Castilian city on the rocky plateau of Meseta. The castle-fortress Alcazar, the Roman Aqueduct, the Cathedral of St. Mary are the hallmarks of the city. Valladolid is the city where kings were born and raised, Columbus died here, and Cervantes finished his Don Quixote. Hotel near Valladolid
Day 3 06/14/17 Wed Burgos, the capital of Old Castile, is notable for its characteristic medieval surroundings with an abundance of dark stone and forged gratings. The main attraction of the city is the exceptionally beautiful complex of the Gothic cathedral of Burgos (1221), which is considered one of the best examples of this style in Spain. Moving to Cantabria. Town Santillana del Mar, carefully restored and deservedly recognized by the Association of the most beautiful cities and villages of Spain as the most beautiful city in the North of the country.
Hotel in Santillana del Mar
Day 4 15.06.17 Thu Trip to Asturias. Ribadesella is a picturesque seaside town with a picturesque historic center and port. Oviedo is the capital of the Principality of Asturias. Pre-Romanesque churches built in the 9th century have been preserved here. In good weather, it is possible to take the funicular to the peak of Europe (1850 m). Hotel in Santillana del Mar
Day 5 06/16/17 Fri Comillas became a fashionable resort at the end of the 19th century, when wealthy aristocrats began commissioning extravagant villas from modernist architects, including Antonio Gaudí. Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, the most visited object of which is the modern building of the European branch Guggenheim Museum. Here is the largest cargo port on the Atlantic coast, the oldest suspension bridge in the world, the most modern Museum of Art, the most proud and open people. Hotel on the sea in the area of Deby-Sarautz
Day 6 06/17/17 Sat Trip to Vitoria - the capital of the province of Alava and the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain. The old part of the city, located on a hill, is very well preserved and contains many wonderful monuments of architecture and history. On the way, check in the "Basque Toledo" - the town of Onati.
Hotel on the sea in the area of Deby-Sarautz
Day 7 06/18/17 Sun The most elegant city of the Basque country - San Sebastian, a place of elite recreation, film festivals and excellent food! The city of Pamplona owes its worldwide fame to Ernest Hemingway, who described it in the novel The Sun Also Rises, and to the annual summer holiday of San Fermin. The most spectacular and dangerous part of the holiday is the encierro, running through the streets of the city from the bulls released from the corrals. Hotel in Pamplona
Day 8 19.06.17 Mon Rioja is the most famous and prosperous wine region in Spain. Capital of the Logroño region. The beautiful provincial town of Laguardia (Biasteri), built in the 10th century on top of a picturesque hill. A trip to the most famous wine cellars (bodegas): Marques de Riscal, Ysios, Vina Real. Wine degustation. Hotel in Pamplona
Day 9 06/20/17 Tue Free time in Pamplona. Moving to Zaragoza. The main attraction and symbol of the city is one of the oldest churches in Spain - the basilica. Nuestra Senora del Pilar, which the inhabitants built in honor of the patroness of the city. It contains frescoes painted by Francisco de Goya. Hotel in Zaragoza
Day 10 06/21/17 Wed Transfer to Madrid. Sightseeing tour of Madrid. Free time. Hotel in Madrid
Day 11 06/22/17 Thu Trip to Toledo - one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, its center has been preserved almost unchanged since the 15th century. Toledo is often called "the city of three civilizations", as there are monuments of Christian, Arab and Jewish culture.
Departure to Moscow at 23-30 OR You can still stay for a few days in Madrid to walk around this beautiful city on your own.
The Basque Country or Euskadi is a Spanish autonomous region located in the northeast of Cantabria, bordering the Cantabrian Sea and France in the north, La Rioja and Castilla and Leon in the south, Cantabria in the west and Navarra in the east. It consists of the provinces (historical territories in free order) of Alava, Gipuzkoa and Vizcaya, uniting 251 municipalities: 51 in Alava, 88 in Gipuzkoa and 112 in Vizcaya. Previously, the provinces that make up the Basque Country were known as Basque Provinces, Provinces of Forales, Free Provinces (until 1841), Basque Provinces or simply Basques. In fact, the name Autonomous Basque Region (KAV) is used quite often, especially in the autonomy itself and in Navarre, although the names Euskadi and Basque Country have also been historically used: since their foundation in the 19th century. the region was called Euskadi, until 1897 - the Basque Country. In addition to the above names, Baskonia and Euskal Erria are also used.
Navarre has the right to become part of an autonomous region, subject to all the provisions provided for by the Spanish Constitution and described in the Code of Laws, if this right has not previously been exercised. The relationship between the two autonomous regions is completely different after the so-called. "Transition".
The Basque Country covers an area of 7,234 km2 and has a population of 2,189,534 (INE, 2016) with a population density of 300/km2.
The capital is Vitoria, located in Alava, where the Parliament and Government of the Basque Country sit, although the largest city is Bilbao.
Geography
Most of the Basque Country is occupied by mountains - the Basque Mountains and the charming Cantabrian Range in the south. The highest mountain is Tologno, the Pyrenees Spurs can be found from Navarre. The highest point is Mount Aitksuri, located at an altitude of 1.551 meters above sea level in the Aiskorri Natural Park. Four climatic zones can be distinguished in Euskadi: Atlantic in the north, sub-Atlantic (Western Plains of Alava and Alaves Plain), Mediterranean and, in the very south, in the Ebro Valley and Ryoja Alavesa, with a dry and hot climate of the continental type. This region participates in the World Water Resources Assessment Program (WWAP) of UNESCO, because of which more than 300 information centers have been established, the task of which is to develop a report on the situation in the region.
Flight time:
(flights to Bilbao Airport)
from Moscow - from 6 hours 15 minutes. (1-3 transplants)
from St. Petersburg - from 6 hours 5 minutes. (1-3 transplants)
from Kazan - from 10 hours 25 minutes. (1-3 transplants)
from Yekaterinburg - from 10 hours 40 minutes. (1-3 transplants)
from Novosibirsk - from 12 hours 10 minutes. (1-3 transplants)
Current time in Vitoria-Gasteiz:
(UTC+2)
Administrative unit
The Basque Country consists of three historically established provinces with independent administration:
- Álava (305.459 inhabitants according to NIS 2007). Capital: Vitoria.
- Guipúzcoa (694.944 inhabitants). Capital: San Sebastian
- Vizcaya (1.139.863 inhabitants). Capital: Bilbao
The Basque Country is divided into 251 municipalities, 51 in Álava, 88 in Gipuzkoa and 112 in Vizcaya, and is subdivided into 20 districts. The territory of Alavra, in turn, is divided into seven districts (cuadrillas in Castilian, eskualdeak in Euskera). The districts of Gipuzkoa and Vizcaya, however, are not divided into administrative regions.
The Basque Country is an autonomous territory in northern Spain. The local population managed to preserve the identity of their culture and language since ancient times, not assimilated under the onslaught of great states. Learn about the features of the Basque Country further from the article.
Who are the Basques?
The Basques are an ancient people living in southern Europe. The historical lands of this ethnic group include territories in the south-west of France and the north of modern Spain. There are many questions and discussions about its origin. According to research, the ancestors of the Basques inhabited the Atlantic coast of Europe in prehistoric times.
It is known that the Aquitanes, Cantabri and Vascons participated in the formation of the people. From the latter came the name "Basque". The relationship of the ethnic group with the Caucasian population, who lived in the pre-Indo-European period, remains controversial.
In Spain and France, there are approximately 2.5 million people of Basque origin, the total number in other countries of the world reaches 14 million. Outside the European continent, representatives of this people mainly inhabit the countries of Latin America.
Spain: Basque Country
The original region is located in the north-east of the kingdom. Despite the fact that representatives of the ethnic group also live on French lands, only Spanish territories are officially the Basque Country. It is here that about 2.2 million Basques live.
The status of the Basque Country within the Spanish state is an autonomous community. The self-name is pronounced as "Euskadi", sometimes the name "Basque Country" is used. In the west, the region is surrounded by Castile, Leon, Cantabria, in the east - by France and Navarre, from the north is Bay of Biscay, in the south is Rioja.
The local population speaks Basque and Spanish. The capital of the Basque Country is the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The area of autonomy is 7,234 square kilometers. The Basque Country is an important economic center of the state. Metallurgy, chemical industry and agriculture, fisheries and tourism are developing in the region.
French side
In France, representatives of the people live in the southwestern part, which belongs to the department of the Atlantic Pyrenees. The Northern Basque Country, as it is called here, covers an area of 2,869 square kilometers.
In French lands, the Basques fought for independence for centuries. During the French Revolution, the three provinces managed to maintain their independence for some time. In the end, autonomy was suppressed, and the Basque lands were united into one department with other sovereign territories.
In the development of a modern economy, the French Basques emphasize agriculture and tourism, rather than industry. Bayonne and Biarritz are the largest cities.
Language
What the Basque Country really boasts of is the language. He is unique. Although during its long history, Basque, or Euskaru, acquired a number of words borrowed from Latin, it managed to preserve its identity as much as possible.
It is completely different from other European languages and differs significantly from Spanish. Along with Sumerian and Elamite, it is considered isolated. Euskaru does not belong to any existing language family, however, many linguists point to its connection with Aquitaine.
Basque is the only language that originated in southeastern Europe in the pre-Roman period and has survived to this day. Now it is spoken by approximately 800 thousand people, most of whom are residents of the Basque Country.
The language consists of more than ten dialects, all of which differ significantly from each other. A single national literary language appeared only in the 1960s, thanks to Koldo Michelin.
Cities of the Basque Country
Euskadi is divided into three provinces and 251 municipalities. The most numerous is the province of Biscay, which is home to about 1.5 million people. The largest cities of the Basque Country: Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteit.
The capital of the autonomy was built on the site of a small settlement in 1181 and for a long time was an ordinary small town. It became the main political center of the region only in May 1980, after a significant increase in population, due to the active construction of plants and factories in Iberian Peninsula.
Now the government and parliament of the Basque Country are located here. Vitoria has a lot of ancient architecture, a beautiful historical center. However, tourists often sacrifice it in favor of visiting Bilbao, the largest city in the region.
Bilbao is an important port and industrial center. Compared to the capital, it is more energetic and literally radiates life. The city has many museums and galleries, as well as a huge number of monuments of modern architecture.
Culture and national character
The population of the Basque Country has retained its unique features that greatly distinguish it from the Spaniards, Catalans and other representatives of Spain. The main characteristics for the Basques are diligence, perseverance and great inner strength. Residents of villages and remote areas are characterized by a certain isolation and excessive religiosity.
Basques are especially reverent about food. Eating here is a separate cult, so in any institution the service is at a high level. It is not customary to store food for a long time, everything is consumed immediately after harvest and is not fried. In the Basque Country, they prefer to boil or stew food. Seafood, mushrooms, rice, lamb and sheep's milk are popular.
Among the traditional local games are endurance competitions while lifting weights, mowing grass and chopping firewood at a speed called "aiscolari". Every year in Pamplona, a bull run through the city streets is held, and Bilbao is famous for the bright performances of herding dogs.
Attractions
The Basque Country is endowed with a special charm, primarily due to the incredibly beautiful landscapes. One of them can be observed on the Ayskorri massif, where the highest point of the Basque Country - Mount Aichuri is located. The territory of the region is predominantly hilly, with many fast full-flowing rivers. There are about 8 protected areas here.
Bilbao attracts with cultural centers and museums. The most popular is the Guggenheim Gallery. The city of San Sebastian is a famous resort that combines the atmosphere of beaches and relaxation with ancient villas that once belonged to the Spanish aristocracy.
Monuments of sacred architecture are located in Getaria, Aspeitia. Medieval architecture is widely represented in the cities of Tholosa and Ordisia. Tolosa also hosts a colorful carnival every year. Segura, Mundac, Bera de Bidasoa, Guernica and other cities of the Basque Country are also interesting in their own way.
The Basque Country, also known as the Basque Country or Euskadi, is a region in the northeast of Spain, which is divided into three provinces: Biscay, Alava, Gipuzkoa. Most of the population lives in Biscay, its center is fashionable and cultural Bilbao, the main city in Gipuzkoa is the youth and surfer San Sebastian, and almost the entire territory of Alava is nature reserves and villages. Lovers of antiquities will appreciate the ancient architecture of cities, gourmets - the original Basque cuisine (no, it's not only seafood and pintxos) and local cider, surfers - the coolest waves in Spain, and party-goers - discos and festivals.
The inhabitants of the Basque Country speak the Basque language, which is very different from the Castilian norm of Spanish. Its roots go back to the pre-Roman era, and it is not similar to any of the European languages.
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How to get to the Basque Country
The largest international airport in the Basque Country is located in Bilbao, there are no direct flights from Russia. From Moscow Sheremetyevo, Air France fly there via Paris and Brussels Airlines via Brussels. On the way from 6.5 hours one way, ticket price - from 170 EUR round trip. Prices on the page are for August 2019.
Bus number 3247 of the Bizkaibus company runs from Bilbao Airport to the city every 15 minutes. The stop is located at the exit from the terminal, tickets are sold at the box office next to it. The bus goes to the Termibus Central Bus Station, and also stops at Moya Square. On the way to the final 20 minutes, fare: 3 EUR, by taxi to the center: 15-25 EUR. There is a direct bus from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian. Pesa buses (off. site in English) run every half an hour from 7:45 to 23:45, the journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes, the fare is 17 EUR.
San Sebastian also has an airport, but flying there is longer and more expensive. The fastest and cheapest option is through Barcelona with joint flights of Aeroflot, Vuelinga and Es Seven. Departure from Domodedovo, arrival at Sheremetyevo. On the way from 7.5 hours, tickets will cost from 350 EUR in both directions. Several buses run from the airport to the city center, all of them go to Gipuzkoa Square. The journey takes 15 minutes, the fare is 1.65-2.35 EUR, by taxi - 8-10 EUR.
Search for flights to Bilbao (nearest airport to Basque Country)
Transport
You can travel around the Basque Country by trains and intercity buses. The railways here are represented by the Euskotren company (off. site in English), trains run between major cities. The road from Bilbao to San Sebastian will take from 4 to 6.5 hours and will cost from 30 EUR one way. In the morning the train leaves at 6:30, 9:20 and 9:40, in the afternoon - at 15:20, in the evening - at 17:00.
On the buses of the company Alsa (off. site in English) you can get to Madrid and Barcelona, Pesa runs around the region. The bus from Bilbao to San Sebastian leaves every 30 minutes, takes 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs from 12.60 EUR one way. You can buy tickets (on the website online) only between the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz, to other cities - only at the box office at the station.
Basque Country Hotels
Most of the hotels in the Basque Country are located in the major cities: Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Prices for "three" in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz start from 50 EUR per day for a double room, "four" will cost from 85 EUR. Staying in San Sebastian is about twice as expensive: "treshki" - from 100 EUR, a bed in a hostel - from 30 EUR, regardless of the season.
Buildings in cities are mostly old, so be prepared for the lack of elevators and heating.
Beaches
Beaches delight mainly surfers and less often beach lovers. The best of them are located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the vicinity of San Sebastian: there are excellent waves all year round and warm water thanks to the Gulf Stream. One of the most beautiful and popular beaches among tourists is La Concha in San Sebastian, it is quite shallow, the coast is sandy, there is all the infrastructure - from renting sunbeds and umbrellas to excellent restaurants, children's slides and trampolines.
The largest beach in the province is Sarauts (2.5 km long). It is divided into three zones, the central one is "given" to surfers, the western one - to families with children, and the eastern one - beautiful promenades.
In Bilbao, all beaches are located outside the city, but many can be reached by metro. The most popular and closest to the city is the sandy Las Arenas, where surfers hang out, but when there are no waves, you can swim (Areeta metro station, then on foot). Barrika nudist beach, located in the village of the same name, is located 3 km from the Plentia station.
All beaches are free, you only have to pay for renting an umbrella and a sunbed: 5-20 EUR, depending on the amenities.
shopping
The most popular souvenir from the Basque Country is the black "chapela" beret, which some local men still wear, and the fatty, smoked sheep's milk cheese "idiazabal". All this is sold in souvenir shops and markets.
In large cities there are shopping centers where you can buy clothes and shoes from Spanish brands. The Fashion Barakaldo outlet in Bilbao offers discounts from 30 to 70% all year round, you can get to it by metro to the Bagatza station and then on foot.
For groceries for every day, it is cheapest to go to Eroski and Carrefour chain supermarkets, and for delicacies - to the markets.
Bilbao is home to the largest covered market in Europe, Ribera, which has been on this site since the 14th century. Here they sell Spanish products at non-tourist prices. A flea market opens on Sundays in Bilbao's Plaza Nueva, and every year in March, Balmaceda hosts a reconstruction of a real medieval market with costumed performances and a fair.
In the Basque Country
Cuisine and restaurants of the Basque Country
In the Basque Country, tapas bars and traditional cidreria restaurants are popular, serving 2-3 varieties of cider (at least dry and sweet) and various snacks. For haute cuisine, go to San Sebastian: 15 Michelin stars for 8 restaurants. Among them, it is worth noting the restaurant of innovative Basque cuisine Arzak (Avda. Alcalde Elosegui, 273).
A popular traditional dish is "marmitaco" (tuna stew with potatoes), dried cod and "chuleton de vaca" - beef steak on the bone are also served everywhere. For desserts, try the Basque tart with custard and sour cherries, while the best local wine is considered to be a slightly sparkling fruit "chakoli".
The city of Astigarraga makes excellent apple cider, the season lasts from January to April.
A glass of beer and 5-6 pintxos in a tapas bar will cost 15-20 EUR, dinner in a restaurant - from 60 EUR for two without drinks, from 12:00 to 16:00 many of them serve "menu-day-dia" for 13-20 EUR per person. The average check for two in a restaurant with a Michelin star is 200-250 EUR without drinks.
Guides in the Basque Country
Entertainment and attractions
The Basque Country is known for its national parks. Near Bilbao is the most famous biosphere reserve in the region - "Urdaibai" (Urdaibai, Biscay): forests, hills, the Atlantic coast, as well as small towns with historical monuments. Hiking and cycling routes are laid in the park, and the Game of Thrones was filmed here, and you can meet a herd of Basque ponies.
Urquiola Park (Lugar Barrio Urkiola, 9F) is located on the slopes of the Durangesado mountain range, and not far from the town of Dela in the province of Gipuzkoa lies the Ruta del Flysch hiking route - one of the most picturesque in Spain.
Gipuzkoa is considered the center of Basque culture. In almost any city, you can take dance lessons from local residents and watch song rituals.
San Sebastian
Not only surfer beaches are located here, but also the largest church in the Basque Country - the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (Urdaneta Kalea, 12) and the Miramar Palace (48 Paseo Miraconcha, 20007) - the former summer residence of the royal family, where furniture and decor of the 19th century have been preserved. Today, these luxurious interiors house the headquarters of the musicology center and host summer courses at the local university.
Victoria-Gasteiz
People go to the capital of the Basque Country to see architecture. The 14th-century Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria (Santa Maria Plaza, s/n), which houses paintings by Rubens, rises in the city center. In the church of San Pedro the Apostle (Fundadora de las Siervas de Jesus Kalea, 2), local famous personalities are buried, and 9 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz is the temple of Nuestra Señora de Estibaliz in the Romanesque style of the 11th century. There are also many museums and galleries in the city, the Artium Museum of Contemporary Art (Francia Kalea, 24) is especially interesting.
Bilbao
One of the symbols of Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum. Its building looks like a giant flower and a spaceship at the same time, and a glass bridge over the Nervion River leads to the entrance. The Way of St. James passes through Bilbao, so there are many cathedrals in the city: the Gothic Cathedral of St. James of the 14th century, the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, etc.
Weather
There are several climatic zones in the Basque Country, traditionally a little cooler in the mountains, and windy near the ocean. In general, summers here are not very hot, and winters are quite mild, surfers come here all year round. This is the rainiest region in Spain, with the least rainfall in May and June.