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The University of Oñate, built in the 16th century, is the first university in the Basque Country. The most important buildings of Plateresque Architecture (Spanish Renaissance), they are directly linked to patronage, taking the Italian example as a model. In this sense, the construction of buildings such as the current San Telmo Museum in San Sebastián, the University of Oñate or the Escoriaza – Esquibel Palace in Vitoria-Gasteiz, could not have been carried out without the collaboration and unique personality of their respective patron.


One might wonder how in a small town, isolated and far from the cultural currents of the peninsula, one can find an artistic group of such singular importance. The answer obeys the desire of Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola, patron and mentor of this creation, who wanted to launch in his native town, a plastic footprint that would visually explain an entire conception of the world typical of the humanism of his time. The founding of educational centers, colleges and universities was one of the common undertakings undertaken by the patrons of the Spanish Renaissance, Mercado de Zuazola being no exception (Alcalá de Henares University, Salamanca University…)


 The town of Oñate during the time of construction of this building, experienced an unusual image in its streets, workers and artisans from other latitudes, intermingled with the stonemasons of the region, with the purpose of giving wealth and splendor to said construction. In whose façade, patio and other university facilities (chapel, stairs, coffered ceiling...) the Renaissance spirit of singular importance is reflected, with an exceptional plastic and iconographic display.


Mariano J. RUIZ DE AEL

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