Plaza de la Virgen Blanca Square, which looks towards the Church of San Miguel. The fiesta as a whole is known as the White Virgin (Virgen Blanca), and many of the events take place on the square of the same name.

Balconada de la Virgen Blanca - Vitoria-Gasteiz visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Balconada de la Virgen Blanca' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Basque Country.

Vitoria-Gasteiz in Alava province is the capital city of Spain's autonomous Basque Country.

From here in the Balcony of the White Virgin, overlooking White Virgin Square, you get a panoramic view out across the courtyard to the square itself. This square is the site of the most important annual festival, held every August 4-9, for Vitoria-Gastiez city.

The festival commences with bells being rung in San Miguel Church accompanied by a firework (chupinazo) which is ignited to mark the beginning of the festival honouring the patron saint of the city, the Virgen Blanca (White Virgin). A Celedon doll dressed in traditional local costume carries a haversack, wineskin and an umbrella from the bell tower of the Church of San Miguel to this balcony overlooking the Square. This begins the celebrations. As the Celedon moves into the Square, thousands of bottles of champagne are opened and cigars are lit to rapturous musical fanfares - and the party continues for several happy days.