The Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, or Plaza Vieja, is the main meeting place in Vitoria. It is located between the districts of Casco Viejo and Ensanche. It is surrounded by white houses and in the centre of the square is a monument in memory of the Battle of Vitoria (1813), an episode in the War of Independence.

At the beginning of the 13th century, years after the foundation of Vitoria by Sancho VI, the city was extended to the west with the streets Correría, Zapatería and Herrería, and in 1256 to the west, with the streets Cuchillería, Pintorería and Judería. This formed the medieval almond-shaped area as it is known today, which at that time was delimited by thick walls.

At the same time, in 1214, the convent of San Francisco was founded to the southeast, outside the walls. This created a large open space outside the southern wall, which came to be known as "el arrabal" (the suburb) and which partially coincides with the current location of the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. This area was to be the entrance to Vitoria and the city market.

At the end of the 14th century, the Church of San Miguel was built on the southern slope of the hill of the primitive Vitoria, outside its walls and to the north of the square. Between the two access arches to the church, there is a marble niche from the 18th century containing a Gothic polychrome stone figure of the Virgin in majesty holding the child, which represents the patron saint of Vitoria and gives the square its name.

In 1791, its extension was reduced by half after the Plaza Nueva was built on its eastern side. Thus, the sides of the square were made up of two completely different entities: on one side, the neoclassical and stately façade of the Plaza Nueva; on the other, the medieval city with its guild streets.

In 1854, the walled entrances to Correría, Zapatería and Herrería streets were demolished, brightening up the square.

In 1877, the drilling of an artesian well began in the square. The work took four years and reached a depth of 1021 metres, which was an absolute record for the time. The project finally had to be cancelled as no water was found.

In 1917 the monument commemorating the Battle of Vitoria was erected.

The 2008 renovation turned the square into an open, unobstructed environment, after changing the paving, removing the gardens that surrounded it and replacing them with flowerbeds.

In 2012 the "Green sculpture" was installed to celebrate Vitoria's award as European Green Capital.