Ataria

About the museum

Ataria is the interpretation centre of the Salburua park, about three kilometres from the centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It opened in 2008, and its timber building, designed by QVE Arquitectos, was a finalist for the World Architecture Festival international awards. It is designed to blend into the landscape and to act as a gateway to the wetlands.

The Salburua wetlands are internationally recognised as a Ramsar Site. The visit explains their history, from drainage to later restoration, their ecological value and their importance for people's wellbeing. The most distinctive element of the building is the cantilevered viewing walkway, more than 19 metres long and 8 metres high, which projects out over the water and allows visitors to watch waterbirds and look out over the Montes de Vitoria.

The centre offers an interactive permanent exhibition presenting the wetlands through the five senses, temporary exhibitions, a silence room, workshops, free guided tours, routes, birdwatching and school programmes. Admission is free, and a team of experts accompanies visitors.

Highlights

• Cantilevered viewing walkway over the lagoon, more than 19 m long
• Interactive permanent exhibition based on the five senses
• Silence room for listening to the wetland soundscape
• Children's area with a slide and ball pools
• Free loan of binoculars and electric scooters
• Café with local products and a terrace

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente sobre los humedales – Interactive exhibition showing, through the five senses, how the wetlands work, the historical evolution of the Salburua park and the services they provide to society.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz (Centro de Estudios Ambientales)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre has ramps, lifts, walkways and adapted toilets. The exhibition includes visual, sound and tactile elements, and there is a Braille guide at reception. Adaptations of guided tours, such as a sign-language interpreter, can be requested in advance. Free loan of an electric scooter for touring the wetlands.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The centre and the wetlands are very suitable for children. There is a children's area with a slide, ball pools, a reading area, games and workshops, and baby-changing facilities. The permanent exhibition is interactive.

Getting there & parking

From the tram (Salburua stop) it is a 20–25 minute walk through the park. From the centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz it is about 40–45 minutes on foot, or about 15 minutes by bicycle, over 3 to 4 km along an almost flat route.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café with local products, terrace and electric bicycle hire (run by Araballe Sustraiak). Bicycle parking at the entrance to the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit