Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estibaliz

Just 10 kilometres from Vitoria-Gasteiz, on top of a hill that been converted into a natural park, stands the jewel of the Romanesque of the Basque Country. Built in the middle of the 12th century, the church remains from that period and is now a shrine where the medieval carving of the Virgin of Estíbaliz, patron saint of Álava, is housed.

The elegance of its cover Speciosa, full of a fine vegetal and figurative decoration, the solemnity of its three apses, the originality of its corbels, the beauty of its baptismal font and the sculptural mastery of the capitals of the interior combine to offer the visitor a true journey to the past.

In addition, the modern Romanesque Interpretation Centre in Alava is located near it, where visitors can gain a better understanding of the particularities of this style in Alava, its variety, geographical extent and its ornamental richness.

An ideal starting point to enter into the Romanesque of Alava. All this can be complemented with a walk through the woods and paths that connect the Shire of nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz with the main Romanesque churches of the Llanada Alavesa in its surroundings.