Logroño (Capital of the province La Rioja)

Logroño

The capital of La Rioja is Logroño which has 148,000 inhabitants and covers 79 km2. It is a very pretty city with lots of green areas and lots of historical buildings due to the meeting of different cultures and the Camino de Santiago which crosses the city. Logroño is also well known for its attractive gastronomy.

It is located at the mouth of the river Iregua, in the Iregua valley to the east of the river Ebro. The entrance to the city is quite impresive with its grand ancient stone bridge and view over the old part of the city.





 


 


Logroño is affected by the Camino de Santiago which crosses the city crossing the stone bridge at the entrance and then going up the Rúa Vieja, it passes the hostel for pilgrims and the Santiago fountain, Barriocepo street, until it arrives at the Murallas de Revellín (city walls) and leaves the city through the Puerta del Camino continuing on to the Grajera reservior.




Logroño is famous for its shops especially its shoe shops, clothes shops and food shops. It has very good restaurants and tapas bars and is well known for its lively nightlife at weekends.

Things to see in Logroño

Churches in Logroño:

• Santa María de la Redonda Cathedral (Plaza del Mercado and calle Portales): It was rebuilt in the 16th century in a Gothic style upon the remains of a 12th century Roman church. Its 2 Baroque towers (known locally as the twin towers) were built by Martín de Beratúa.
  
• Santa María de Palacio Church: It was built in the 12th century and renovated in the 16th century. Things to look out for are the cloister, the museum and its curious gothic tower in the shape of a pyramid which is called 'la aguja de palacio' (the palace needle).
  
• San Bartolomé Church: This is a Norman church built in the 13th century. Its Norman facade and Mudéjar tower are especially interesting.
  
• Santiago el Real Church: Built in the 16th century in the style of the Reyes Católicos upon the ruins of an ancient medieval church. It has a 17th century Baroque facade.

Museums in Logroño:

• The Rioja Museum (c/ San Agustín, Tel.: 941 291 259): This is also called has the Palacio de Espartero. it is an 18th century Baroque building where general Espartero lived once he had withdrawn from service. It houses paintings, sculptures, archeological finds from the region and ethnographic pieces.
  
• Cultura del Vino de la Dinastía Vivanco Museum: This museum, dedicated to wine culture, houses paintings related to wine and goes from the Egyptian period up until the present day. The museum was awarded the title The Best of Wine Tourism in Australia in 2004.
  
• Casa de las Ciencias (c/ del Ebro, 1, Tel: 941 245 943): Located in a former abattoir built in 1910.
  
  

Prehistoric Remains in Logroño:

The Varea neighbourhood: There are some archeological remains from the Roman town - Vareia romana - which dates back to the 5th century or earlier. You can see a house with various sections where Roman generals once lived such as Tito Livio, Plinio, Estrabón and Ptolomeo.

Historic Monuments in Logroño:

• Muralla de Ravellín: This ancient wall dates back to medieval times.
  
• Parlamento de la Rioja: This is located in the old Tobacco factory.
  
• Fuente de los Riojanos Ilustres: This fountain was built by the architects Dalmati and Narvaiza in 1999.
  
• Puente de Piedra: Also known as Puente de San Juan de Ortega after the person who built this primitive bridge which was destroyed when the river broke its banks. It was rebuilt in 1884. It has 7 arches and is 197 metres long.
  
• Puente de Hierro: This bridge was opened in 1882. It is 330 metres long.

Squares in Logroño:

• Plaza del Mercado: This is at the centre of the shopping district and is where you can find the best shops. It is also at the centre of the city's nightlife. The Cathedral is located here too.
  
• Plaza del Ayuntamiento:This is the square directly in front of the townhall. Throughout the year various fairs and fiestas are held here like the Christmas fair to celebrate the city's patron saint la Virgen de la Esperanza.
  
• Paseo Príncipe de Vergara or del Espolón: This street is where many of the city's fiestas are held. There is a sculpture of Espartero and la Concha del Espolón here.

Parks and Gardens in Logroño:

• Parque del Carmen
  
• Parque del Ebro
  
• Parque de San Miguel
  
• Parque de la Ribera

 

Other useful links
Guide to the province of La Rioja