Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda, Plaza del Mercado (tel. 94-125-76-11), has vaulting from the 1400s, although the baroque facade dates from 1742. Inside, you can visit its 1762 Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, built in an octagonal shape with rococo adornments. Constructed on top of an earlier Romanesque church, today's cathedral is known for its broad naves and twin towers. Admission is free. It's open Monday to Saturday 8am to 1:30pm and 6:30 to 8:45pm, and Sunday 9am to 2pm and 6:30 to 8:45pm.
From the square on which the cathedral sits, walk up Calle de la Sagasta until you reach the 12th-century Iglesia de Santa María de Palacio, on Marqués de San Nicolás, once part of a royal palace. The palace part dates from 1130, when Alfonso VII offered his residence to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Most of what he left is long gone, of course, but there remains a pyramid-shaped spire from the 13th century.
Walk through the heart of Logroño, exploring the gardens of the broad Paseo del Espolón. In the late afternoon, all the residents turn out for their paseo, or stroll.
While in Logroño, you can visit Bodegas Olarra, Polígono de Cantabria s/n (tel. 90-213-10-44; www.bodegasolarra.es), open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 3 to 7pm. It produces wines under the Otonal and Olarra labels. Admission is free, but reserve a tour at least 2 weeks in advance. Bodegas Olarra is closed in August and during the Wine Harvest Festival.
A Special Event -- About a third of all Rioja wine production comes from the Najerilla River's valleys. From September 20 to September 26, the Wine Harvest Festival (tel. 94-129-12-60) takes place throughout the region of La Rioja. Barefoot locals stomp upon grapes spilling from oak casks, and area vineyards showcase their wares. Other activities include dances, parades, music, and bullfights.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
