Arriaga-Lakua

Arriaga-Lakua was a Spanish village in Álava, Basque Country and is at present one quarter of Vitoria-Gasteiz.Geographical featuresThe quarter is in the same location as the former village and is approximately 2.5km from the city center, adjacent to the Zadorras banks. Only Abetxuko is located further north than Arriaga-Lakua.HistoryThe first written reference to Arriaga-Lakua is in a document from 1025, located in the cartulary of San Millán de la Cogolla (also known as Reja de San Millán).The village was most significant for its close proximity to a place called "Campo de Lakua" ("Field of Lakua"), where the institutions that ruled the Álava people conducted meetings. The joint institution that governed the "Lordship of Alava" was responsible for uniting the nobles of Alava and received the name "Brotherhood of Arriaga".Arriaga-Lakua was one of the ancient villages of Vitoria-Gasteiz that came to depend on the main city at an early age. In 1258 the Voluntaria Entrega was produced, stating that the Brotherhood of Arriaga were required to relinquish their power over the Lordship of Álava to Alfonso XI, the king of Castilla, in exchange for maintaining their privileges. Eight villages were eventually given to the king, including Arriaga and the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Following this transfer, Arriaga-Lakua continued to host the "Juntas Generales de Álava" ("General Meetings of Álava").