Oñati | |
Settlement Type: | Municipality |
Pushpin Map: | Spain Basque Country#Spain |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Oñati within the Basque Autonomous Community |
Pushpin Map1: | Spain |
Pushpin Map Caption1: | Location of Oñati within Spain |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | ![]() |
Subdivision Type1: | Autonomous community |
Subdivision Type2: | Province |
Subdivision Name2: | Gipuzkoa |
Subdivision Type3: | Comarca |
Subdivision Name3: | Debagoiena |
Coordinates: | 43.0333°N -27°W |
Elevation M: | 230 |
Area Total Km2: | 100.31 |
Population Demonym: | Oñatiarra |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Timezone: | CET |
Utc Offset: | +1 |
Timezone Dst: | CEST |
Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 20560/20567/20568/20569 |
Area Code Type: | Dialing code |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Name: | Izaro Elorza |
Oñati (eu|Oñati, es|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 40km (30miles) south of the Bay of Biscay and is about 236m (774feet) 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.
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.
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 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.
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain.
Oñati is twinned with: