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List of Bienes de Interés Cultural in Álava facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of special places in Álava, a province in the Basque Country, Spain. These places are called Bien de Interés Cultural (pronounced: Bee-en day Een-tay-res Cool-too-ral). This means they are very important for their history, art, or archaeology, and Spain wants to protect them. Think of them as national treasures!

These special places include old palaces, churches, bridges, and even entire towns. They show us what life was like long ago and help us understand the rich history of Álava.

What is a Bien de Interés Cultural?

A "Bien de Interés Cultural" (BIC) is a special title given by the Spanish government. It means a place or object is very important for its cultural value. There are different types of BICs:

  • Monumento: This is usually a single building or structure, like a palace, church, or bridge.
  • Conjunto histórico: This means a whole group of buildings or an entire old town that has historical importance.
  • Zona arqueológica: This is an area where important ancient ruins or artifacts have been found.
  • Archivo: This refers to a collection of historical documents.

Amazing Buildings and Palaces

Álava is home to many beautiful old buildings that have been protected.

Palaces and Grand Houses

Many palaces in Álava were once homes for important families.

Historic Towers

Some old towers in Álava are also BICs. These towers were often built for defense or as homes for powerful families.

  • The Hurtado de Mendoza Tower in Martioda, Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a strong, historic tower.
  • The Lazarraga Tower in Larrea, Barrundia, is another important tower.
  • The Negorta Tower in Zuaza, Ayala/Aiara, is a protected monument.
  • The Tower of Mendoza in Mendoza, Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a well-known landmark.
  • The Tower of Murga in Murga, Ayala/Aiara, stands as a reminder of the past.
  • The Tower of Orgaz and the Tower of the Condestable are both in Fontecha, Lantarón.
  • The Tower of Villanañe in Villanañe, Valdegovía/Gaubea, is another historic tower.
  • The Tower-palace of Guevara in Guevara, Barrundia, combines features of both a tower and a palace.

Important Churches and Religious Sites

Many churches and religious buildings in Álava are protected because of their age and beautiful architecture.

  • The Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia in Armentia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a very old and important church.
  • The Cathedral of Santa María de Vitoria in Vitoria-Gasteiz is a stunning cathedral.
  • The Chapel of San Juan in Markinez, Bernedo, is a small but significant religious building.
  • The Church of la Asunción de Nuestra Señora can be found in Santa Cruz de Campezo, Campezo/Kanpezu, and also in Tuesta, Valdegovía/Gaubea.
  • The Church of la Natividad de Nuestra Señora in Añua, Elburgo/Burgelu, is also a protected site.
  • The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a beautiful church in Elvillar. Another church with the same name is in Labastida. There's also one in Lasarte, Vitoria-Gasteiz.
  • The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña in Faido, Peñacerrada-Urizaharra, is a unique church.
  • The Church of San Andrés in Elciego is another important religious monument.
  • The Church of San Juan in Agurain/Salvatierra and the Church of San Juan Bautista in Laguardia are both historic churches.
  • In Vitoria-Gasteiz, you can find several protected churches: the Church of San Miguel, the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, and the Church of San Vicente Mártir.
  • The Church of Santa María in Agurain/Salvatierra and the Church of Santa María de los Reyes in Laguardia are also very old and beautiful.
  • The Cistercian Monastery of Barria in Barria, San Millán/Donemiliaga, is a historic monastery.
  • The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz in Estíbaliz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a special religious sanctuary.

Ancient Sites and Old Towns

Álava also protects ancient ruins and entire old towns that tell stories of the past.

Archaeological Sites

  • Iruña-Veleia in Trespuentes, Iruña de Oca/Iruña Oka, is a very important archaeological zone. It's where people have found remains of an ancient Roman city.
  • La Hoya in Laguardia is another archaeological site, showing us how people lived long ago.

Historic Towns and Areas

  • The Camino de Santiago in Álava is a famous pilgrimage route. Parts of this ancient path are protected.
  • The Old Town of Agurain/Salvatierra is a whole historic area in Agurain/Salvatierra.
  • The Old Town of Artziniega in Artziniega is another protected historic center.
  • The Old Town of Laguardia in Laguardia is a beautiful medieval town with walls.
  • The Old Town of Vitoria-Gasteiz is the historic heart of the capital city.
  • Los Arquillos in Vitoria-Gasteiz is a unique architectural feature, a series of arches that connect different parts of the city.
  • The Plaza de España in Vitoria-Gasteiz is a historic square.
  • The Salt Valley of Añana in Salinas de Añana, Añana, is an amazing place where salt has been harvested for thousands of years. It's a unique cultural landscape.

Historic Walls and Bridges

  • The Bridge of Mantible in Laserna, Laguardia, is an ancient bridge.
  • The Bridge of Trespuentes in Trespuentes, Iruña de Oca/Iruña Oka, is another historic bridge.
  • The Walls of Antoñana in Antoñana, Campezo/Kanpezu, are old defensive walls.
  • The Walls of Labraza in Labraza, Oyón-Oion, are also protected.
  • The Walls of Salinillas de Buradón in Salinillas de Buradón, Labastida, are historic fortifications.

Other Important Sites

  • The Provincial Historic Archive of Álava in Vitoria-Gasteiz is where many old and important documents about the region's history are kept safe.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Bienes de interés cultural de Álava para niños

Images for kids

  • CasaSimonAndaSalazar-VistaPrincipal

    Anda-Salazar Palace

  • Vitoria - Museo de Bellas Artes de Álava 05

    Augustin Zulueta Palace

  • Monasterio de Quejana

    Ayala Palace

  • Vitoria - Armentia 002

    Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia

  • Palacio Bendaña. Interior

    Bendaña Palace

  • Puente de Mantible DSC 4525

    Bridge of Mantible

  • Tres Puentes - Puente 03

    Bridge of Trespuentes

  • Palacio Casa del Cordón (Gasteiz)

    Casa del Cordón

  • Vitoria - Armentia - Palacio-Casa de San Prudencio 2

    Casa del Santo

  • Vitoria-Gasteiz - Vieille Cathédrale

    Cathedral of Santa María de Vitoria

  • San Joan baseliza (3)

    Chapel of San Juan, Markinez

  • Santikurutze Kanpezuko eliza Alto del Castillotik

    Church of la Asunción de Nuestra Señora, Santa Cruz de Campezo

  • Tuesta - Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción 05

    Church of la Asunción de Nuestra Señora, Tuesta

  • Añua - Iglesia de la Natividad de Nuestra Señora 17

    Church of la Natividad de Nuestra Señora, Añua

  • Bilar

    Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Elvillar

  • Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.

    Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Labastida

  • Lasarteko eliza gasteiz

    Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Lasarte

  • La Peñako Andramariaren Eliza 6

    Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Faido

  • Eltziego eliza 2006-09-15

    Church of San Andrés, Elciego

  • Salvatierra - 004 (30397036330)

    Church of San Juan (Salvatierra)

  • Inside Laguardia Gate - panoramio

    Church of San Juan Bautista, Laguardia

  • Vitoria - San Miguel 16

    Church of San Miguel, Vitoria-Gasteiz

  • St Peter church in Vitoria-Gasteiz (6)

    Church of San Pedro Apóstol, Vitoria-Gasteiz

  • San Migel eliza - panoramio

    Church of San Vicente Mártir, Vitoria-Gasteiz

  • Salvatierra - Iglesia Santa Maria 36

    Church of Santa María (Salvatierra)

  • Santa Maria de los reyes eliza panoramika

    Church of Santa María de los Reyes

  • Barria - Monasterio de Santa Maria 1

    Cistercian Monastery of Barria

  • Torre de Mártioda

    Hurtado de Mendoza Tower

  • VELEIA TEMPLO (7577673802)

    Iruña-Veleia

  • Laguardia Poblado de La Hoya

    La Hoya, Álava

  • Town hall of Labastida (1)

    Labastida Town Hall

  • Zalduendo - Palacio de los Lazarraga 6

    Lazarraga Palace

  • Lazarraga dorrearen aurrealde osoa

    Lazarraga Tower

  • Vitoria - Los Arquillos 3

    Los Arquillos

  • Torre Negorta 12

    Negorta Tower

  • Conjunto Histórico Artístico de Salvatierra

    Old Town of Agurain/Salvatierra

  • Arceniega - 002 (30580102172)

    Old Town of Artziniega

  • Guardia airetik2

    Old Town of Laguardia

  • Gasteiz, Euskal Herria

    Old Town of Vitoria-Gasteiz

  • Plaza de España. Vitoria

    Plaza de España, Vitoria-Gasteiz

  • Vitoria - Archivo Histórico Provincial 01

    Provincial Historic Archive of Álava

  • Salinas de Añana -- Valle Salado 01

    Salt Valley of Añana

  • Estíbaliz - Monasterio 02

    Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz

  • Mendoza - Torre de Mendoza -BT- 01

    Tower of Mendoza

  • Torre de los Murga 08

    Tower of Murga

  • RI-51-0005123 Torre del Condestable 008

    Tower of Orgaz

  • RI-51-0005122 Torre de Orgaz 009

    Tower of the Condestable

  • VaronakoDorretxea

    Tower of Villanañe

  • Torre-Palacio de los Guevara

    Tower-palace of Guevara

  • Antoñana 09

    Walls of Antoñana

  • Vista de Labraza

    Walls of Labraza

  • Zurbano - Palacio de Zurbano 2

    Zurbano Palace

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