Vitoria-Gasteiz - Catedral de Santa María

The Visigoth king Leovigild founded a city called Victoriacum on the occasion of a victory over the Basques in the 6th century. In 1181, King Sancho the Wise of Navarre founded what is now Vitoria, named Nueva Victoria. This was an extension of the already existing Basque settlement of Gasteiz, which was developed into a fortification against Castile. In 1199, the town was besieged for nine months and eventually captured by the troops of Alfonso VIII of Castile, who annexed the town to the Kingdom of Castile. The town was progressively enlarged and in 1431 it was granted a city charter.

The Battle of Vitoria of the Peninsular War occurred near Vitoria-Gasteiz on 21 June 1813. An allied army under General Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte. The victory assured the eventual end of French control in Spain. There is a monument commemorating this battle in the main square of the city known as the Monument to Independence.
Construction of the Cathedral of Santa María in Gothic style began in the late 13th century and continued throughout the 14th century. It was conceived as a fortress church, with great volume and enclosed appearance, being part of the city's defenses. From 1496 to 1861 it served as a collegiate church. In 1862 the church became the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Vitoria until the new María Inmaculada Cathedral was completed in 1914.