Select Page

Laguardia

Welcome to Laguardia

Laguardia, nestled in the Rioja Alavesa region, is one of the region's most charming towns. It is internationally renowned for its wines and is the birthplace of Samaniego, a famous author of fables. Rioja Alavesa enjoys an ideal climate for viticulture, giving it a well-deserved reputation. Laguardia is also a rich archaeological area, home to Paleolithic, Roman, and medieval remains. Laguardia's old town is surrounded by walls built in the early 13th century. Places of interest include the Church of Santa María de los Reyes and the La Hoya Village Museum. Make the most of your stay in this picturesque town.

Things to see in Laguardia:

  • Church of Santa Maria de los Reyes : The Church of Santa María de los Reyes, located in the northern area of ​​Laguardia, began construction at the end of the 12th century in a Romanesque style. However, the temple was completed in the 15th century, which means that it includes Gothic, Renaissance, and even Baroque elements due to later reconstructions. Here are some additional details about this fascinating church:
    • Architectural plan : The church has a basilica plan with three naves of three vessels. The chevet ends with a semi-circular apse on the inside and polygonal on the outside.
    • Architectural style : The first artistic remains date back to the early 12th century, characterized by blind arches and Lombard bands on the exterior walls. Over time, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements were added, reflecting the different construction periods.
    • Vaults : The nave vaults are ribbed vaults with tiercerons. The central bay of the transept has a Renaissance-style vault with statues, including the relief of the Eternal Father. The other two bays of the transept have Gothic vaults made in a trapezoidal manner, creating the effect of star vaults with very developed keystones.

    The Church of Santa María de los Reyes is a remarkable example of the region's architectural and artistic history. If you have the opportunity to visit, take the time to admire its details and its atmosphere steeped in history.

  • Villa Lucía Wine Thematic Center : The Villa Lucía Wine Thematic Center, located in Laguardia, Spain, is an innovative and captivating space designed to celebrate, savor, and share wine culture. Here are some details about this fascinating center:
    • Location : The center is located in the former second home of the fabulist Samaniego in Laguardia.
    • Facilities : It has several spaces, including meeting rooms, a library, a wine library and a cellar-museum.
    • Interactive experience : During the tour, visitors discover the entire winemaking process through virtual tastings, games, and much more.
    • Tasting courses and gastronomic gymkhanas : Throughout the year, tasting courses and fun activities are offered to wine lovers.
    • Equalitas Vitae Certification : The Villa Lucía Wine Thematic Center is the first establishment of its category to be Equalitas Vitae certified, guaranteeing total accessibility.
    • Membership in the Network of Oenograstronomic Museums of the Basque Country : This museum is part of a network dedicated to gastronomy and oenology.

    Hours of operation :

    • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    • Guided tour hours: 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
    • Closed Sunday afternoon and Monday.

    For more practical information, you can visit the official website of the Villa Lucía 13 Wine Thematic Center. Enjoy this immersive experience to explore the region's wine world.

  • Archaeological site of Hoya Amelibia : The archaeological site of La Hoya was discovered in 1935 in the suburbs of Laguardia. According to studies, this area was occupied by humans more than 3,400 years ago. The city, with an area of ​​4 hectares, was an important trading center during the Bronze Age. Currently, in the museum located next to the ruins, many objects found there are preserved and exhibited: crockery, plates, decorative objects, etc. The site is a fascinating testimony to the ancient history of the region. If you are interested in visiting the archaeological site of La Hoya, here is some useful information:
    • Address: Archaeological Site of La Hoya, La Hoya, s/n, 01300 Laguardia.
    • Opening hours subject to change:
      • Winter: Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00, Sundays from 11:00 to 14:00.
      • Summer: Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00.

    The La Hoya Archaeological Site Museum, built in 1996, complements the visit to the site itself. The museum's collection reflects the life, environment, and customs of the inhabitants who inhabited this territory between 1200 and 250 BC. You'll find panels, models, photographs, and videos to better understand this period of history.

  • Bodega Ysios : Bodegas Ysios is a place where unique connections are cultivated. They capture the most unique expression of the Rioja Alavesa terroir by exploring the secrets of their vineyards' limestone soils. Every detail is carefully considered, from hand-selecting the finest grapes to cutting-edge winemaking. It is this personal connection with each plot and the uniqueness of the surrounding landscape that reveals the exceptional nature of Ysios.
  • Bodega Casa Primicia : Casa Primicia is the oldest civil building in the medieval town of Laguardia. Since the 15th century, it has been the first winery in Rioja Alavesa. A visit to Casa Primicia will reveal the region's authentic wine history and amaze you with its incredible cellars, dug 900 years ago, where its best-kept secrets are preserved: its wines.
  • Bodega El Fabulista : Bodega El Fabulista is a wine treasure located in the heart of Laguardia, the capital of Rioja Alavesa. This historic bodega is located seven meters underground, beneath a 17th-century palace, in the center of the medieval village of Laguardia. It is a special place where the prestigious fable writer Félix María de Samaniego once lived. Within the walls, El Fabulista is one of the largest and most spectacular underground wineries in Laguardia. It is also one of the few where wine is still made in the traditional, artisanal way, using the carbonic maceration method. The bodega offers five distinct Rioja Alavesa wines, each associated with a different Félix María Samaniego fable. These unique wines are aged in American and/or French oak barrels, with generic D.O. Ca. Rioja labels. Choose your favorite.
  • Entrevinas y Olivos : Entreviñas y Olivos is a bar-vinoteca located in an 18th-century house, where you can taste the region's wines, as well as carefully selected pintxos and rations. Their specialty is tostas, with no fewer than 11 varieties. Imagine enjoying these delicacies in such an authentic setting.