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date: 17/05/2012 latest update: 15/05/2012
Presentation
Europa Nostra 2000 Special Award, the most important European recognition for restoration and conservation projects.
Below the pillars of the Cathedral lie the origins of Vitoria-Gasteiz
To talk about the pillars of Vitoria-Gasteiz is to refer to Santa María Cathedral. The 13th century Gothic temple has a unique characteristic: its close relationship with the city and its citizens from the start of its construction onwards. In fact, under its pillars lie the remains of the village of Gasteiz.
It was in 1994 when the Old Cathedral, as it is known amongst the locals, closed its doors to the public. It was a difficult and painful decision, but a necessary one due to the serious structural problems that the building had suffered right from the beginning, risking its total collapse. These and other problems contributed to the monument losing its symbolic value.
However, this plight has been overcome in the last few years thanks to an ambitious restoration project which has been described by the European Union, the Vatican, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and internationally renowned architects and archaeologists as "the best historical building restoration project being carried out nowadays in Europe". The project has also received the Special Prize Europa Nostra 2002, the most important recognition for restoration and conservation that has been awarded to date by the European Union to any Spanish heritage site.
Since its origins, the history of Santa María Cathedral has been closely linked to that of Vitoria-Gasteiz and its residents. Rarely has the city been as aware as it is today of one of its most prominent and valuable attractions: the beautiful Gothic Cathedral of Santa María, full of history and mystery.
Today we have a new and historic opportunity to restore the Cathedral to all its splendour and symbolism, so that once its structural problems have been solved and corrected, Santa María can become once again the living point of reference that it has always been for all citizens. Without a doubt, this project reflects the commitment of our citizens towards a temple that holds beneath it the foundations of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz.
This relationship has been one full of symbolic content which, thanks to the support of the citizens and their donations throughout the centuries, has forged a strong pillar of conservation and care for the Cathedral, in spite of its serious deformities.
An example of this cooperation and support takes us back to the middle of the 16th century, when Don Diego Fernández de Paternina, abbot of Santa Pía, ordered the construction of the chapel that bears his name. It was built in the portico, at the same time as the northern side of the Cathedral was extended and the roof vaults were altered.
