Vitoria-GasteizLlanada AlavesaRioja AlavesaMontaña AlavesaValles AlavesesCantabria AlavesaEstribaciones del GorbeaDonostialdeaBidasoaTolosaldeaGoierriUrola KostaDebagoienaDebabarrenaGran BilbaoDurangaldeaLea-ArtibaiBusturialdeaUribe KostaEnkarterriArratia-NerviónMungialdeaVitoria-GasteizLlanada AlavesaRioja AlavesaMontaña AlavesaValles AlavesesCantabria AlavesaEstribaciones del GorbeaDonostialdeaBidasoaTolosaldeaGoierriUrola KostaDebagoienaDebabarrenaGran BilbaoDurangaldeaLea-ArtibaiBusturialdeaUribe KostaEnkarterriArratia-NerviónMungialdea
EU|ES|EN

Diario Euskadi

The Ambitious Biopolis Theme Park Vitoria Dreamed of in 1998

With the environment as its central theme, Vitoria-Gasteiz envisioned a theme park similar to Port Aventura, but the project never materialized.

Generic image of a blueprint for the Biopolis theme park dreamed of in Vitoria.
IA

Generic image of a blueprint for the Biopolis theme park dreamed of in Vitoria.

Vitoria-Gasteiz nearly had a major environmental theme park, Biopolis, in 1998, inspired by models like Port Aventura, but the ambitious project ultimately failed to materialize.

Vitoria-Gasteiz came close to having its own Port Aventura in 1998. That year, the City Council commissioned a study for an environmental theme park, intended to complement the Green Belt. This project, named Biopolis, European Environmental Park, showcased grand ambitions, even negotiating the involvement of the European Union.
Although initially planned for Salburua, the project was later moved to the military lands of Araca, between Abetxuko and Miñano. A dedicated tram line was even envisioned to reach it. Alongside the railway's undergrounding, it was a major dream for Vitoria-Gasteiz at the end of the 20th century and the most ambitious of its failed projects.
Then-mayor, José Ángel Cuerda, launched the proposal and awarded the study in 1998. Reports by Xabide and PWC estimated the complex would cost 23.7 billion pesetas (142 million euros). The park was slated to operate on weekends from March 19 to December 10, and daily from June to September.
Alfonso Alonso later took over the project, seeking private investors and negotiating with BBVA and BSCH (Santander), without success. Ultimately, a study by a British consultancy deemed the project unviable. According to Javier Maroto (then-Councillor for Finance), two major obstacles were terrorism and Vitoria's limited potential market.
The Biopolis theme park was to be structured around four main elements: 'The Adventure of Air', 'The Pulse of the Earth', 'The Magic of Water', and 'The Secrets of Fire', plus the 'Gaia, Living Planet' pavilion. Five worlds, with a layout similar to Port Aventura. A large lake would connect the entire complex.
Attractions included a roller coaster inside a volcano and water rapids recreating the Gujuli waterfall. Zero-gravity experiences, earthquake simulators, windsurfing areas, space simulators, and penguins were also planned. Biopolis was not just a theme park; it would also include convention centers, hotels, and an 'ecocity' with 1,384 homes, linked to the Miñano Technology Park.
This megalomaniac project, which failed to secure sufficient support from the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, was finally abandoned in 2001. The dream of the theme park remained unfulfilled, and the city did not invest further efforts or money into it.

Related News