Sequoia of Vitoria-Gasteiz | |
---|---|
Species | Giant sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) |
Coordinates | 42°51′N2°41′W / 42.85°N 2.68°W |
Height | 40 m (130 ft) |
Girth | 8.05 m (26.4 ft) |
The sequoia of Vitoria-Gasteiz was an individual sequoia tree located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital city of the Basque Country, Spain. It was declared a singular tree by the Basque Government in 1995 and died in 2014. [1]
The tree had 40 m (130 ft) of height and 8.05 m (26.4 ft) of girth, its crown had a diameter of 16 metres (52 ft). It was located in the back court of a public building at Magdalena street, close to the Urkide school [2] and near La Florida park. [3] The tree was planted in 1860 by Juan Ibarrondo, who had bought the sapling in Brussels in 1858. [1]
The sequoia is surrounded by walls and buildings, bordering the court of a school. The construction of a nearby building block damaged its roots, and deprived the tree of light. Because it was close to a school, some children's games contributed to trampling the soil. It was proposed that the tree be felled because its dimensions were perceived as a nuisance, but the city council decided to keep the tree as it was. When the tree's leaves started yellowing, the sequoia's condition became worrisome because other sequoias in the city had died gradually.[ when? ] Subsequently, actions aiming to protect the tree began. The initial project was modified by the Deputation, which manages protected trees in Álava. A few wooden platforms were built to help aerate the soil, preventing visitors from walking through it. The rest of the garden was covered with plant remains to prevent visitors from walking on it. [4]
According to a 2014 report, the sequoia had died due to a honey fungus infection. The report suggested that the remains of the tree be pruned in order to increase their stability. It is estimated that the remains will stand for 40 or 60 years without additional conservation efforts. [1]
Vitoria-Gasteiz, also alternatively spelled as Vittoria in older English-language sources, is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and of the province of Álava in northern Spain. It holds the autonomous community's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's official residency. The municipality—which comprises not only the city but also the mainly agricultural lands of 63 villages around—is the largest in the Basque Country, with a total area of 276.81 square kilometres (106.88 sq mi), and it has a population of 253,093. The dwellers of Vitoria-Gasteiz are called vitorianos or gasteiztarrak, while traditionally they are dubbed babazorros.
Fernando Buesa Blanco was a Spanish politician in the Basque Christian Democracy and in the Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left (PSE-EE) branch of the social democratic Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). He was assassinated by ETA.
Euskotren Tranbia is the brand under which the tramway networks in the cities of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bilbao are run. The system in Bilbao started operations in 2002, and the one in Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2008. It is one of the four commercial divisions under which Euskotren operates. The infrastructure is owned by the public entity Euskal Trenbide Sarea and tracks use 1,000 mm narrow gauge.
Vitoria Airport is an airport near Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country of Spain. It is locally known as Foronda Airport due to its proximity to the hamlet of Foronda. The airport has one terminal with 3 gates, 7 check-in counters and 16 stands for medium and light aircraft, and a 3.5 km long CAT II/III runway.
Condado de Treviño is a municipality in the province of Burgos, autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. This municipality and the geographically smaller La Puebla de Arganzón make up the enclave of Treviño. Although the enclave is part of Burgos it is surrounded by the province of Álava, part of the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The seat of the municipality is Treviño.
Abetxuko is a neighborhood and concejo in the municipality of Vitoria-Gasteiz in Álava, Basque Country, Spain. It is located north of the Zadorra river, which separates it from the rest of the city.
Eskibel is a village in Álava, Basque Country, Spain. It forms part of the Southwestern Rural Zone of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is situated 7.5 km (4.7 mi) southwest of the city in a small valley surrounded by the Mountains of Vitoria.
Nanclares de la Oca or Langraiz Oka is a village and concejo in the province of Álava, in the Basque Country, Spain. It is also the seat of the municipality of Iruña de Oca and the most populated settlement in the Cuadrilla de Añana comarca. The village is located in the western part of the Llanada Alavesa, roughly 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) away from the capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz.
FesTVal is the main Spanish annual television and radio festival which takes place in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque Country of northern Spain. The festival, an initiative of the Asociación Cultural Fila 2, began in 2009 and runs during the first week of September. The festival program features previews of new shows, special screenings, roundtable discussions, and a ceremony where the Joan Ramón Mainat and Crítics' prizes are awarded. The event is hosted by EITB, the Basque Country public broadcast service. Participating Spanish television and radio networks include TVE, Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco, La Sexta, Canal+, and the Disney Channel.
Zaldiaran is a mountain in the Montes de Vitoria range, in the province of Álava, Basque Country, Spain. Even if part of the south face of the mountain is on the Treviño exclave, Burgos; the summit itself lies in Álava. At the top of the mountain, apart from a tall metallic cross that was placed in 1950 by the Manuel Iradier hiking club, there are a few big aerials that transmit television and radio signal to Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The Ullíbarri-Gamboa Reservoir (Basque: Uribarri Ganboako urtegia, Spanish: Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa) is located in Álava, Basque Country, Spain. With a total capacity of 147.2 hm3 (5.20×109 cu ft), it is the largest reservoir in the Basque Country. Together with the nearby Urrunaga Reservoir, it provides water to the nearby city of Vitoria-Gasteiz and to Bilbao and its metropolitan area. The whole reservoir has been designated as a Natura 2000 site, and the southeastern end of the reservoir is also protected as a Ramsar wetland. It is also a popular leisure area, particularly for hiking and bathing.
Errekaleor is a neighbourhood on the periphery of Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country, Spain. It sits on the plateau created by the Errekaleor river, which is part of the Green Belt of Vitoria-Gasteiz. From 2013 onwards, the area was occupied by squatters and became known as Errekaleor Bizirik. The project is based on the principles of workers' self-management, consensus based decision making, feminism, anti-capitalism and Basque cultural re-invigoration. The neighbourhood is the largest occupied space of its type on the Iberian Peninsula, with over 10 hectares of land and 150 inhabitants. Residents include children, the elderly, blue-collar workers, the unemployed, students, and teachers. The project includes an organic farm of 2 hectares, a bakery, a bar, a social centre, a library, a theatre, a free shop, a recording studio, and other projects.
The Betoño Sports Complex, also known as El Glorioso, is a football training ground and match venue located in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava.
The Ciudad Deportiva José Luis Compañón, also known as Instalaciones de Ibaia after the name of its semi-rural location, is the primary training ground of Spanish professional football club Deportivo Alavés, located in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava.
The Vitoria-Gasteiz tram is a tram system in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain. It is operated by Euskotren under the brand Euskotren Tranbia. Inaugurated on 23 December 2008, it comprises two lines totaling 11.9 km (7.4 mi).
The Lantern Museum is located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country, Spain. It houses the lanterns used in the Rosary of the Lanterns procession, celebrated every 4th of August during the Virgen Blanca Festivities.
Gorka Urtaran Agirre is a Spanish politician of the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ-PNV). He served as mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz from 2015 to 2023.
Francisco Javier "Patxi" Lazcoz Baigorri is a Spanish lawyer and former politician of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). He spent his entire political career from 1991 to 2015 as a city councillor in the Basque capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz, serving as party leader from 2003, and mayor from 2007 to 2011.
The N-622 is a road in Álava, Basque Country, Spain. It links Vitoria-Gasteiz with the Autopista AP-68 at Altube. Together with the AP-68 motorway, it constitutes the most important road link between Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz. The whole road is a dual carriageway, with parts of it classified as autovía.
Maider Etxebarria García is a Spanish politician. A member of the Socialist Party of the Basque Country, she has served as mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz since 2023.