Orbiso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orbiso
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Village
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 Orbiso
Location in Basque Country
Orbiso
Location in Spain
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| Country | Spain |
| Autonomous community | Basque Country |
| Province | Araba/Álava |
| Eskualdea / Comarca | Montaña Alavesa |
| Municipality | Campezo/Kanpezu |
| Elevation | 588 m (1,929 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 110 |
| Demonym(s) | Patones, Orbisoar |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
01117
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| Official language(s) | Spanish, Basque (Euskera) |
Orbiso is a small village in the Basque Country, Spain. It is located in the Montaña Alavesa region. This area is a natural path between the Campezo/Kanpezu valley and the valley of Arana, both in Álava. It also connects to the Cordillera de Santiago Lózquiz in Navarra.
Orbiso is about 43 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz and 28 km from Estella. You can reach it by taking the A-132 highway and then the A-4161. Near Orbiso, you can find places like Cruz de Alda and the Istora’s Cliff. There is also the park of Santa Lucía and the Franciscanos de San Julián de Piédrola’s convent.
The mountains around Orbiso are covered with holm oaks, oaks, and arbutus trees. Many wild animals live here. You can also see walnut, chestnuts, and cherry trees. The village's economy mainly depends on farming. They grow crops on both dry and irrigated lands. Orbiso is part of the Campezo council. This council includes Santa Cruz/Santikurutze, Oteo, Bujanda, Antoñana, and Orbiso.
History of Orbiso
Orbiso has always been an important crossing point. It connects Álava and Navarra since ancient times, even before the Romans. Because of this, Orbiso's name appears in many old documents. Sometimes it was spelled "Urbisu" or "Urbiso."
Long ago, there were smaller villages nearby, like San Pedro and San Cristóbal. Around the 1600s, these small towns started to join together. They chose this location because of the sunlight and its natural defenses.
In 1377, a powerful person named Ruy Díaz de Rojas controlled Orbiso. He later gave it to King Enrique II of Spain. Before that, Carlos II of Navarra had given it back to him.
In the 1500s, Orbiso and other villages, including Santa Cruz de Campezo, belonged to Mr Álvaro Mendoza. He was the first Count of Orgaz.
In 1738, Orbiso earned the title of "Villa," which meant it became independent from Santa Cruz the Campezo. As a thank you, some young men from Orbiso had to serve as guides in battles in the region. Orbiso was also a place where several fights happened during the first Carlist War. These battles were between General Zumacárregui and the liberal forces led by Lorenzo and Córdoba.
Important Buildings and Monuments
The old part of Orbiso has four main streets. They run parallel to each other from northwest to southeast. Short, narrow paths connect these streets, just like they did in the 1500s.
At both ends of the main street, you will find two squares. These squares are where the religious buildings are located. In the northernmost square, there is the Santo Cristo chapel.
At the other end of the main street is the San Andrés parish church. This church has a two-part baroque tower. It was built in the second half of the 1700s. The church itself, with its square floor plan, was built in the 1500s. The main altarpiece, a large decorated screen behind the altar, was made by Juan de Araoz and finished in 1598. The church roof has a shallow baroque vault from the 1700s. On both sides of the main altarpiece are two smaller ones. The one on the left is dedicated to La Virgen del Rosario and was made by the sculptor D. Bartolomé Calvo.
Festivities and Celebrations
The people of Orbiso celebrate their main festivals in honor of their patron saint, San Andrés. These celebrations take place on the first weekend of June.
At the Santa Lucía’s shrine, religious ceremonies are held. These happen on the Sunday after the feast day of San Pedro.
In August, on the first Saturday after the 15th, the village holds a special dinner. Everyone living in Orbiso is invited to this community meal.
See also
In Spanish: Orbiso para niños
