La Rioja Attractions

Najera - Monasterio de Santa Maria la Real Legend has it that in the 11th century King García Sánchez, while hunting in this area, discovered a hidden cave containing an altar dedicated to the Virgin and thereupon founded the monastery of Santa María la Real. The church, which dates from the 15th century, has fine choir-stalls. Much more important, however, is the Panteón de los Reyes (Royal Pantheon), the mausoleum of the kings and princes of Navarre and León. The finest of the tombs is the stone sarcophagus of Queen Blanca of Navarre (12th C.); the other sarcophagi mostly date from the 15th and 16th centuries. A small 13th Century figure of the Virgin marks the spot where García Sánchez is supposed to have found the altar of the Virgin. The cloister of 1522 (in which historical plays are performed in June) has flamboyant Gothic tracery.

San Millan de la Cogolla - Monasterio de Suso The Monasterio de Suso (Upper Monastery) is built into the rock higher up the hill, and is older than the Monasterio de Yuso. The small Mozarabic church, which is divided into two halves by horseshoe arches, was consecrated in 984, and contained San Millán's sarcophagus until its transfer to the newer monastery in 1053. It still preserves the tombs of the Seven Infantes of Lara (who were treacherously murdered in the 10th century while trying to free their imprisoned father), and also an effigy of San Millán. From the monastery there is a fine view of the valley of the Río Cárdenas.

San Millan de la Cogolla - Monasterio de Yuso The Monasterio de Yuso (Lower Monastery), in the valley, was founded in 1053; attached to it was a hospice for pilgrims. The present buildings, which have been called the ''Escorial of Rioja'', date from the 16th-18th centuries. Until 1835 it was occupied by Benedictines, and thereafter lay empty until it was reoccupied by Augustinians in 1878. The 16th century church has a retablo with paintings by Juan Rizzi. In the sacristy are two finely wrought reliquaries with ivory decoration (11th century) containing the remains of San Millán and San Felice. There are several cloisters, the finest of which is the Claustro de San Agustín (1572). The monastery library possesses valuable incunabula and manuscripts.