SPAIN  |  Logroño, Spain Travel Guide
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Sightseeing in Logroño

Sightseeing in Logroño

Paseo del Espolón

The Paseo del Espolón (Paseo Principe de Vergara), a landscaped pedestrian zone capped by a statue of the 19th century General Espartero, separates the newer parts of Logroño from the Casco Antiguo. In leaving the paseo, cross Calle Muro Fernandez de la Mata and follow Calle Marques de Vallejo to Plaza del Mercado, the heart of the city’s historical quarter. Facing the plaza is the Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda, a 15th century work that has undergone extensive modifications, including the addition of its twin Baroque towers, known to locals as “Los Gamelos.” The panel crucifixion inside is credited to Michelangelo. A block behind the church in Plaza de Amós, there is an interesting palace from which Calle Bartolomé leads to Logroño’s oldest church, the Iglesia de San Bartolomé. Much of the church was built from the stones of the city’s defensive wall, the only standing proof of which is the Muralla de Revellín and the Puerta de Carlos V at the northeastern edge of Casco Antiguo. The finely wrought portal and Mudéjar tower are the highlights of this 12th-century church.

In and Around Plaza del Mercado

Back in Plaza del Mercado, follow the arcaded Calle Portales in the opposite direction to reach the Museo de La Rioja, a collection of artistic, ethological and archeological relics housed in the Baroque Palacio de Espartero. Calle Ruavieja, two blocks north of Plaza del Mercado, is identifiable by the scalloped shells cast in its pavement. This is the route pilgrims have traditionally followed through town on their long journey to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. At the eastern end of this road, on the corner of C/ Travieso Palacio, is the Iglesia de Santa María del Palacio, built in the 12th century over the site of a royal palace. Check out the interesting tambour, a local landmark known as La Aguja (The Needle). At the opposite end of this road is the Iglesia de Santiago, a rather boorish 16th-century construct. The ever-interesting sculpture of Santiago Matamoros (St. James the Moor Slayer) above the portal breathes some life into this regular pilgrim stop, in which the devout pay homage to the image of Logroño’s patroness, Our Lady of Hope. On the riverside of the church is the Fuente del Peregrino, a fountain where pilgrims have long refilled their bladder bags, and next to it a curious game board is painted on the pavement called Juego de Oca (the Goose’s Game), which tests pilgrims’ knowledge of place names and icons of the Camino de Santiago.

Last updated April 27, 2011
Posted in   Spain  |  Logroño
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