Location of Logroño
The Ebro River meets the city of Logroño at the beginning of its journey which descends from the Cantabrian mountain in northern Spain to flow into the Mediterranean Sea in south. The route of the river intersects here with the path of pilgrims headed for Santiago de Compostela, which cut the Iberian peninsula from the west of the Pyrenees to the extreme east of Galicia.
Therefore Logroño is a point of passage, meeting and border. Furthermore, it is the capital of the smallest Spanish region by number of inhabitants, La Rioja, named after another river that crosses it, the Rio Oja. Logroño is the gastronomic capital of Spain, thanks to its culinary traditions and above all to the prestigious vineyards that produce the only Spanish wine that boasts the label of qualified origin.
Logroño historic center
The stone bridge represents the pilgrims entering the city towards Santiago. The modern bridge with its seven arches was built in 1884 in the place where a previous bridge stood and designed by the engineer Fermín Manso de Zúñiga. Nearby, the same engineer designed the iron bridge.
The Paseo del Principe Vergara (or Paseo del Espolon) is a square with gardens, fountains and a music kiosk. In the center of the square stands the monument to General Baldomero Espartero, who spent his old age in Logroño in the company of his beloved wife Jacinta. Espartero was an influential politician and regent of Spain when Queen Isabella II was only a child. He gained the esteem of the Spaniards by refusing the crown after the liberal revolution of 1868 overthrew Isabella II.
The main street of the historic center is Calle Portales, decorated with arcades, where typical restaurants, important buildings and above all the wonderful Co-Cathedral of Logroño all together. The imposing church was built precisely to enhance this crossing point of the Camino de Santiago. Today, it dominates the center of Logroño with its Baroque towers. Unfortunately, we were unable to admire its treasures, including a painting of the crucifixion attributed to Michelangelo.
Written by Enrico, Translated by Hua and Photo from Hua
