The Walker

In a city full of pedestrian areas, trails, promenades, parks, wetlands and even a green ring to get lost in, it is no coincidence that one of the most beloved statues in the Green Capital is ‘El Caminante’ (The Walker) (1985). This 3.5-meter-high bronze giant is found in the Plaza of the Arca, in the city center.  

It was created by Juan José Eguiazabal and represents a traveler that arrives by foot to Vitoria – turns out he liked the city so much that he decided to stay and make it his home. For us, it’s just one more V.T.V (local expression in Spanish that means `Vitoriano de Toda la Vida´, or just another lifelong Vitoria local). If there is a special event, we dress him up, whether for carnival or in the uniform of a local sports team – like Baskonia (basketball) or Deportivo Alavés (soccer). 

According to Nietszche, “all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”. If this is true, the Basque Capital, with dozens of trails, paths and routes to discover, seems to have been conceived to expand the mind – when the weather cooperates (this city is also known in the rest of the Basque Country as Siberia-Gasteiz). How about we start by exploring the trail that goes up to the Basilica of San Prudencio in Armentia? Or getting lost in the Salburua wetlands observing deer? Shall we enjoy a sunset from Monte Olarizu?