Logroño, chief town of the province of La Rioja, situated on the banks of the Ebro was originally the Roman settlement of Varea Lucrosus. It is an industrial town, with few historic old buildings. The main industries of Logroño are textiles and metalworking.
From Nájera there is an attractive excursion (30km/19mi south on C 113) up the beautiful valley of the Río Najerilla to the 11th century monastery of Valvanera, on the edge of the Sierra de la Demanda nature reserve. The pilgrims' route continues west from Nájera on N 120 and in 19km/ 12mi reaches Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
A short distance away from Santa María is the church of San Bartolomé (12th C.), which has one of the finest Romanesque/Gothic doorways of its kind in Rioja.
The church of Santa María del Palacio, on the banks of the Ebro, is a relic of the palace of Alfonso VII, which he presented to the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in 1130. The most striking feature of the church, which was much altered in the 16th century is the 45m/150ft high spire over the crossing, the Aguja del Palacio. It has a fine high altar by pupils of Berruguete.
The Cathedral of Santa María la Redonda in Logroño (15th-18th century) - the name is a reminder of its original circular ground-plan - has a handsome twin-towered Baroque facade. Notable features of the interior are the finely carved altars and choir-stalls.
Read More
Haro, Spain
Read Less
