Dominating the plains from its watchtower, at about 10 Km. (6 miles) from Vitoria in the province of Alava, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Estibaliz (patroness of Alava) is now a small Benedictine monastery where a community of 10 monks live. The current use as a monastery comes from 1923 when a Benedictine community occupied it since the original one was extinguished in the 16th century after being founded in the 11th century. During the time when there were no monks in the monastery it was used as a parochial church.

The 12th-century building as well as the engraving of the Virgin of Estibaliz, is one of the best pieces of the Basque Romanesque and its main façade is outstanding.

In terms of its architecture, it has a church consisting of an aisle with a transept with three independent chapels at the top. Its capitals, the baptism basin and the “Speciosa” door have an incalculable artistic and symbolic value.

It is very much visited, and it is known that already in the 12th century this space was the home to a very important market. The area is now perfectly conditioned and it has big parking areas, picnic areas, restaurant, etc.