Ken Follett Statue

A curious statue precedes the entrance to the Vitoria Cathedral: a thoughtful Ken Follet who seems lonely and melancholic in the middle of the great plaza. When you go near, it is surprising to see him have a media celebrity air, a “because I’m worth it” kind of look.

All jokes aside, the statue, the surroundings and the plaza constitute one of the most charming corners of the old Gasteiz.

Once we finished the guided tour of the cathedral and while we were waiting for the tour of the wall, we decided to enjoy this corner and get closer to Ken. The truth is he doesn’t speak much, but his books are interesting.

It’s almost an obligation to have your picture taken with the Welsh author before going into the Santa María Cathedral.

It’s been 21 years since his best seller, The Pillars of the Earth, was published, one of the most sold books in history. This and many other of his books led to the construction of a statue in his honor in 2008.

The fact that the author decided to use the cathedral for his book, World Without End, had a lot to do with it. So, don’t forget to snap yourself alongside Mr. Follet.

It is an obliged visit if you are in Vitoria and have read Ken Follet’s novel. When you see the restoration works in the cathedral, your mind recreates World Without End.

They have to excavate in the foundations of the cathedral to figure out the root of the problem as to why the arches and vaults deform and form cracks in the walls. It is a fascinating experience.