After my first trip back in 2014, I had to come back to this wonderful area, not only for the wine and food but also for the wonderful villages you can visit around. The story will be based on the trip now and will add where relevant links to my previous trip.
It was a long drive as we were coming from Oviedo but when you arrive and see vineyards everywhere, nothing else matters
Sajazarra
Declared one of the prettiest villages of La Rioja and I could not agree more. Still it is super tiny and when we arrived there was almost no one to spot on the streets. You need just a couple of hours to visit the whole village.
Below you can spot a picture of the main square, and under the umbrellas is the restaurant we ate at.
There are flowers everywhere making everything even more charming.
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While walking around I spotted these 2 hands and I was curious what they represented. As I speak Spanish I asked an old man whom I spotted walking on the streets what they represent and if there was a legend attached to them. He told me that they have been added only for tourism purposes.
While checking online, I found an article in elpais where if you like legends they give you one to believe in ;)
While checking online, I found an article in elpais where if you like legends they give you one to believe in ;)
Castillo de Sajazarra
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Iglesia de Santa MarÃa de la Asunción
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Before we move along our wine roads, I found online that you can actually visit the caste upon request "Although the castle is not open to the public, the castle can be visited if contact is made directly with the owners, as the castle is maintained to a certain level of quality and is decidedly better shape than other castles of the area that are today without roofs and windows. If you are interested in visiting this castle, please do get in contact with us." (Source)
El Ciego
We did not really visit the village, but we passed by the ​Marques de Riscal Bodega for a photo from a different angle I took last time.
This time also took advantage of walking just a little bit around. The city looks to have a very good potential to spend a few hours around.
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La Guardia
And here it is, the little medieval village of LaGuardia, with it's charming little streets and great food. The town belongs to Rioja Alavesa which is actually part of the Basque country.
pendulum clock in main square
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Chili peppers @ windows
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In the new building (of the town hall), there is an interesting pendulum clock that opens and three figures come out to dance to a traditional song. You can see them at the following times:
- From October to May – 12pm, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm
- From June to September – 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm and 10pm
The Viajeros ("Travelers) sculpture in one of the markets was built in 2004 by Koko Roco. The idea behind the 2 tables with shoes and luggage represents the trip itself and makes you reflect how some objects that are related to travelling can makes us think about different situations and memories (rephrased from the description on the sign in the square)
Abbey tower
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Square where you can find Viajero sculpture
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The abbey tower served as a defense tower of the walls of the town. the architecture brings you to the northern Italian style or the one used in Catalan Pyrenees. It is believed that it used to be a tower of an abbey and for this you can spot the image of San Benito.
Logrono
I am very happy I learned to discover the capital of La Rioja. A city that on top of it's fame for wine is considered one of the best places to live in Spain and was the gastronomic capital of Spain in 2012.
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It's always interesting to figure out the story behind all the different sculptures out there and the story of Gorgorito is not necessary the easiest to find. After a bit of research I got to a website in Spanish where they explain that Gorgorito, is the main character in a lot of small stories throughout more than 50 years. Besides Gorgoirto, there is also a sculpture of a little girl and Coroaca. Checking further, the puppets were brought to Logrono for the first time by the puppet master Maese Vallejo in 1954 and ever since then they were part of the San Mateo festivals.Which makes it part of the history of the city. The monument is promoted by Caja Rioja foundation and was built in bronze by the sculpture Ricardo Gonzales. It was inaugurated in 2008 and you can find it on the street Gran Via #2.
Calle Laurel
This street is a synonym to everything that relates to food and fiestas when it comes to Logrono. It is actually a street that on both sides it's packed with little bars that offer a specialty dish.
Although a must try, especially if in Logrono on a Sunday, when i compare it with the feeling and flavor i got in 2014 i must say that it got a bit touristy and consequently expensive. Below you can see some of the pintxos we tried
and at the end of travelling through this magical land a last picture or what it will become some amazing wine.
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