500 years of the Fuero of Bizkaia and the Treasury (1526–2026)
XVI Ituna Congress | Bilbao, April 27–28–29, 2026
Bizkaia Aretoa - University of the Basque Country (EHU)
Fueros and Treasury of Biscay
The Reform of 1526, a Fuero for Modern Times
On April 5, 1526, the General Assembly of Biscay appointed a commission to undertake the reform of the Fuero of Biscay.
On August 21, 1526, a reformed or new Fuero was created, and the Fuero of 1452 subsequently became the Fuero Viejo (Old Fuero). The preamble stated that the Fuero Viejo (Old Fuero) had been “written and organized at a time when there was not so much peace and justice,” and that the Fuero, renewed for modern times, was urgently needed because in 1527, “the Emperor’s ratification” of Charles I, Lord of Biscay and King of Castile, was obtained, as well as the printing license, which was issued in 1528 in Burgos.
World History of Bizkaia
In this congress, we aim to analyze the 500 years of evolution and ups and downs of the Fuero and Biscayan society, taking into account that the Foral Treasury is the stronghold of Bizkaia’s authority and government. Furthermore, all Bizkaian citizens could benefit from the Fuero of Bizkaia, regardless of their place of residence. Therefore, the results of this congress can also serve to lay the foundations for a “world history of Bizkaia,” following the model of Patrick Boucheron’s book.
The program will address all aspects of the Fuero and its evolution to the present day: institutionalization and political governance of Bizkaia, General Assemblies, the Foral Treasury, all areas of the economy, private law, society, daily life, population and sociability, places of memory, intangible heritage, festivals and popular culture, music, and lives that have made history in Bizkaia, etc.
Image gallery of the congress
Congress Program
Institutionalization, Economy, Society, and Culture of Bizkaia
The program will address all aspects of the Fuero and its evolution to the present day: Institutionalization and political government of Bizkaia, General Assemblies, regional treasury, economy, private law, society, daily life, settlement and sociability, places of memory, intangible heritage, festivals and popular culture, music, and lives that have made history in Bizkaia.
April 27, Monday
9:00 – Reception of participants.
9:30 – Opening of the XVI Ituna Congress.
- Esteban Antxustegi PhD, Director of the Institute of Historical Law of the Basque Country (EHU).
- Joxerramon Bengoetxea PhD, Rector of the University of the Basque Country (EHU).
- Ms. Ana Otadui Biteri. President of the General Assembly of Bizkaia.
10:00 – Paul Seaward PhD (History of Parliament Trust, Vicepres. ICHRPI.)
«The Oak of Guernica, the Ancient Constitution and the Feudal Law: tracing the origins of freedom in Britain and Europe from the sixteenth to the twentieth century».
11:00 – Break
11:30 – María Isabel del Val PhD (University of Valladolid).
«Bizkaia en el marco de la Corona de Castilla: de Enrique IV e Isabel y Fernando a la llegada de Carlos I (1452-1526)».
12:30 – Time of the New Fuero of Bizkaia, 1526.
- Imanol Vítores PhD (EHU): «El Fuero y la reglamentación de la fiscalidad del Señorío de Bizkaia: contextos, agentes e instituciones (siglos XIII-XVI)».
- Andoni Artola PhD (EHU): «El Fuero y el Imperio: oportunidades económicas, movilidad social, tensiones políticas (siglos XVI-XVIII)».
14:00 – End of the morning session.
16:00 – Second act: The Time of the New Fuero of Bizkaia, 1526.
- Sergio Escribano PhD (EHU): «Baserriaren sorrera eta mundu-ekonomia (XV-XVI mendeak)».
- Xabier Zabaltza PhD (EHU): «Emakumea eta Antzinako Erregimeneko ordezkaritza erakundeak».
- Jose Patricio Aldama Gamboa PhD (EHU): «Sexualitatearekiko bekatu publikoak Bizkaiko Forualdian: XV-XVIII mendeak».
- Koldo Ulibarri PhD (EHU): «Euskararen egoera Bizkaiko Foru Berriaren sorrera garaian: teoriak eta praktikak».
17:30
- Mr. Xabier Ormaetxea: «Diego de Valera y el Testimonio del Derecho Vizcaíno a la Desnaturalización (1412-1488)».
- Mr. Manu Ugartetxea: «Del linaje a la villa: Francisco Adán de Yarza y el nuevo orden vizcaíno. El declive de los parientes mayores y el impacto del Fuero Nuevo de 1526».
- Mr. Isidoro Jiménez Zamora (Francisco de Vitoria University): «Bizkaia desde la Corte de Carlos V e Isabel de Portugal».
- Mr. Javier Aspuru: «Francisco de Mendieta y Retes (1560-1623?) cronista y pintor del imaginario foral de Bizkaia».
- Mr. José Alfonso Antequera Chávez and Mr. Josu Larrinaga Zugadi: «Vestigios de usos y costumbres festivas en el Antiguo Régimen Foral».
April 28, Tuesday
9:30 – The egg of the Fuero. The General Treasury and financing of the Lordship. 1526-1877.
- Aingeru Zabala PhD: «El Consulado de Bilbao como complemento del Fuero nuevo de Bizkaia. (1511-1829)».
10:00
- Rafael López Atxurra PhD (EHU): «El Fuero y el erario del Señorío de Bizkaia (1526-1804). Una relación dinámica en un contexto cambiante».
10:30
- Joseba Agirreazkuenaga PhD (EHU, Honorary President ICHRPI): «Bizkaiko Foruaren erreformak Espainiako konstituzio liberalen garaian: Foru Gobernu eta Ogasunaren, errotzea eta indartzea (1808-1877)».
11:00
- Eduardo J. Alonso Olea PhD (EHU): «El Concierto Económico: la foralidad práctica. 1877-1937».
11:30 – Break
12:00
- Fernando Martínez Rueda PhD (EHU): «La foralidad y los municipios vizcaínos (1700-1853)».
- Mr. Javier Barrio (Museum of the Encartaciones): «Las Encartaciones y los primeros pasos para la integración plena en el Señorío de Bizkaia (1576-1699)».
- Mr. Ramon Oleaga: «El Fuero de Bizkaia y su representación en la cartografía histórica».
- Elena Llorente Arribas PhD (EHU): «Pruebas e hidalgos de Bizkaia en la Real Chancillería de Valladolid.»
- Mr. Ekain Cagigal Montalbán: «Miguel Archer y las instituciones vizcaínas (1742-1752): una afortunada confluencia de visión política y capacidades técnicas para las infraestructuras de Bizkaia».
14:00 – End of the morning session.
16:00 – Repeal of the Fuero and the Era of the Economic Agreement. 1878-1937
- Oscar Alvarez Gila PhD (EHU): «Del ocaso de la foralidad al renacimiento euskaro: los ecos de la abolición foral en la diáspora vasca de América (1876-1921)».
- Mikel Zabala Montoya PhD (Bizkaia Provincial Library): «Fidel de Sagarminagaren bilduma berreraikitzen: ibilbidea eta erronkak».
- Mr. Hektor Ortega: «Patakon ez dabil bakarrik: Bautista Landa, Tretatxu, eta Bizkaiko bandolero sozialak».
- Ms. Haizene García-Echave: «”Por honor y lealtad a vuestra madre”. Donations for the reconstruction of Biscay 1812-1819».
- Mr. Felipe Sobrinos Bueno and Mr. Mikel Gómez Gastiasoro, University Institute for Research in Latin American Studies (IELAT) – University of Alcalá: «Manuel Antonio Luzárraga: marino vizcaíno y oligarca ecuatoriano».
- Ms. Begoña Villanueva García (EHU): «Teléfono y Fuero: El modelo de gestión del teléfono de seis diputaciones provinciales (1882-1924)».
18:30 – Guided tour of the Provincial Palace
April 29, Wednesday
9:30 – Contemporary Fueros: Theory and Practice of a Legal “Antiquated” System.
- Mr. Javier Muguruza, Tax Advisor: «La práctica del fuero en la actualidad»
- Jon Atxutegi PhD (EHU): «La arquitectura del Derecho privado en el Fuero Nuevo de Bizkaia: evolución y conexiones entre sus instituciones sucesorias».
- Mikel Urquijo PhD (EHU, Secretary General, ICHRPI): «Pilar Careaga, diputada provincial en Bizkaia (1964-1971). Una excepción en un universo masculino».
- Jonatan García Rabadán PhD (EHU): «La élite política foral en Bizkaia: Presidencia, Mesa y Junta de portavoces de Juntas Generales (1979-2025)».
11:00 – Break
11:30 – Fueros and the Economic Agreement in a Globalized World. 1959-2026.
- Enrique Lucas Murillo de la Torre PhD (EHU): «Fuero, Concierto Económico y Constitución».
- Susana Serrano Gazteluurrutia PhD (EHU): «El Concierto Económico ante la Unión Europea: Del estigma del privilegio a la autonomía fiscal reconocida».
- Roundtable: Ms. Gemma Martínez Bárbara (Bizkaia Provincial Council), Mr. Iñaki Alonso (Basque Government).
Moderator: Mr. Mikel Erkoreka (Basque Government).
13:00 – Presentation of the Laboratory of Provincial Treasuries.
- Ms. Nerea Urrutia and Mr. Mikel Arregi (EHU).
13:15 – Closing Conference.
- Mr. Pedro Luis Uriarte: «Haciendo realidad el sistema foral tradicional de Concierto Económico o Convenios. 1979-1981».
13:45 – Closing Ceremony
- Eduardo Alonso Olea PhD, Chair of the Economic Agreement (EHU).
- Estitxu Garai PhD, Vice-Rector of the Bizkaia Campus.
- Ms. Elixabete Etxanobe, Deputy General of Bizkaia.
Learning material
“Conversaciones en la vidriera” is a podcast produced by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia to rediscover Bizkaia’s institutional, social and cultural roots through its major milestones. From the architectural legacy of the Provincial Palace to key moments such as the New Charter, the 500th anniversary of the Foral Government, and the 150th anniversary of the Economic Agreement.
XVI Ituna Congress - 500 years of the Fuero of Bizkaia and the Treasury (1526–2026)
Organizers
The «XVI Ituna Congress – 500 years of the Fuero of Bizkaia and the Treasury (1526–2026)» is organized by the Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreeement and Fiscal Federalism Studies (EHU), the Institute for Basque Historical Constitution Law (EHU) and the Chair of Economic Agreement (EHU).
Sponsors
Collaborators
Congress Venue
Bizkaia Aretoa - EHU
The Bizkaia Aretoa of the University of the Basque Country is located in an emblematic area of Bilbao, overlooking the estuary and the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by architect Álvaro Siza, it is located in the center of Abandoibarra Avenue, between the Pedro Arrupe and Deusto bridges.
Today, it hosts all kinds of social, cultural, academic, and scientific events, many of them organized by the UPV (University of the Basque Country). This has made Bizkaia Aretoa a benchmark venue in Bilbao’s events sector.
Contact
Congress Information
If you would like more detailed information about the Congress, please contact the Ituna Center for Basque Economic Agreement and Fiscal Federalism Studies.
Hours
Monday to friday
09:00 - 14:00
Ituna Center Leioa
+34 946 012 240
Ituna Center Sarriko
+34 946 017 011
ituna@ehu.eus
Downloadable book
History of the Regional Government of Biscay. 1500-2014
The Regional Governments and the General Assemblies are one of the main institutions of the Basque Autonomous Community. Each of the three territories of the Basque Autonomous Community (Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Bizkaia) has a legislative assembly—the General Assemblies—and a regional government with broad powers, including the regulation and collection of direct and indirect taxes.
The General Assemblies, unlike the rest of the Spanish State, are the true parliaments of the Historical Territories and elect from among their members the General Deputy who presides over and chairs the Regional Government. The Regional Government of each territory is led by the General Deputy, who elects a group of deputies of a maximum of ten. They will be responsible for the regional departments, according to the distribution of matters such as Finance, Public Administration and Relations with Municipalities, Economic Promotion, Public Works and Public Transport, Environment and Agriculture, Social Action, and Culture.
This historical monograph, published by the Regional Government of Biscay, identifies and lists all the “General Deputies” of Bizkaia from 1500 to 2014 (the year of the book’s publication), including those who were not democratically elected during the Franco regime but did hold office. It also analyzes the history of Bizkaia’s regional institutions from that time to the present.
Authors
Dr. Joseba Agirreazkuenaga, Dr. Eduardo Alonso, Dr. Alberto Angulo, Dra. Nieves Basurto, Lourdes Etxebarria, Dr. Iñaki Garcia, Aritz Ipiña, Dr. Santiago Larrazabal, Dr. Rafael Lopez, Dr. Fernando Martinez, Ramón Oleaga, Dra. Susana Serrano, Dr. Mikel Urquijo, Dr. Mikel Zabalza.