Oñati

Oñati (Basque: Oñati, Spanish: Oñate) is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has a population of approximately 10,500 and lies in a valley in the center of the Basque country. It lies about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the Bay of Biscay and is about 236 metres (774 feet) above sea level. The name is Basque and translates roughly as "place of many hills", reflecting the landscape of the area. The town is surrounded on three sides by green mountains on the southern side by the Aloña limestone formation.

Oñati
Municipality
The former University of Oñati.
Flag
Oñati
Location of Oñati within the Basque Autonomous Community
Oñati
Oñati (Spain)
Coordinates: 43°02′N 02°25′W
Country Spain
Autonomous community Basque Country
ProvinceGipuzkoa
ComarcaDebagoiena
Government
 • MayorMikel Biain Berraondo
Area
 • Total100.31 km2 (38.73 sq mi)
Elevation
230 m (750 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total11,335
 • Density110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Oñatiarra
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
20560/20567/20568/20569
WebsiteOfficial website
Altar of San Miguel Church, Oñati.

Main sights

Dating back to the Medieval period, Oñati is home to numerous monuments. The University of Oñati, the ancient university of the Basque Country, which is in the town's centre, is one of the oldest university buildings on the Iberian peninsula. Today it houses the International Institute for the Sociology of Law. Other important sites include the monastery and hospice of Bidaurreta and the Church of Saint Michael.

Above the city lies the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, which is known for its Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady. A shepherd is said to have discovered a figure of the Virgin here in 1469. The original 16th Century chapel was replaced in 1950 by a church in a more contemporary style.

Oñati is also known for having hosted the Boise State University Campus in the Basque Country program at ETEO. The time was very volatile politically, and mirrored Northern Ireland in many ways, since it saw the death of Franco and the transition to a non dictatorial political system.

Currently, the main campus of the Faculty of Business Studies of Mondragon University is in the town.

Church of Our Lady of Aránzazu

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain

Twin towns – Sister cities

Oñati is twinned with:

Notable people

References
  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. "Sister Cities, Public Relations". Guadalajara municipal government. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
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