Ezcaray (La Rioja)

Ezcaray

Felix y Francis, the owner of Echaurren Hotel Gastronómico looks forward to welcome you to Ezcaray

Description

Ezcaray is an historic town situated in Spain’s most important wine region. Nestled between mountains and on the banks of the river Oja (from where the region gets its name), Ezcaray and its surroundings make an ideal place for those seeking rest and relaxation. It is also a superb spot for lovers of mountain sports and a good base for exploring the wine region. Many of the town’s bars are located around the two pedestrianised plazas making it one of the most enjoyable places in the area to go from bar to bar eating tapas. The historic centre of Ezcaray has been well conserved. Of particular note is the is the beautiful church of Santa Maria Maggiore, built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. An historical artistic monument, its retablo was restored in 2012.

Travel guide

How to Get There

From Madrid take the A-1 to Burgos then the N-120 to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. From here, follow the LR-111 to Ezcaray.

From Bilbao take the AP-68 to Haro and follow the LR-111 to Ezcaray.

From Barcelona take the AP-2 to Zaragoza and then AP-68 to Navarrete. Follow the A-12/ N-120 to Santo Domingo. From this point, the LR-111 to Ezcaray.

Ezcaray: Plan your journey by public transport

Madrid train station

Madrid train station, Spain.

Burgos Railway Station

Barcelona Bus Station, Spain.

Port of Bilbao

Ezcaray weather forecast

Jan 24, 2022 - Mon
Ezcaray, España
clear sky
24°F clear sky
Wind 4 mph, S
Humidity 74%
Pressure 774.07 mmHg
tue01/25 wed01/26 thu01/27 fri01/28 sat01/29
sky is clear
46/32°F
sky is clear
47/34°F
sky is clear
48/32°F
sky is clear
41/30°F
scattered clouds
44/32°F

Places to go

Ezcaray: Church of Santa María la Mayor

 

Visit the historic church of Santa María la Mayor in Ezcaray, region of La Rioja, Spain.

TO SEE:

The church visible today (facing the Echaurren) dates from the late 14th and early 15th centuries, and replaced an earlier Romanic building. It is believed to have been enlarged during the 16th century and the present southern wall, with its portico and new entrance, dates from the 18th century. The original entrance, the west door, is still used on special occasions and weddings. On Easter Sunday children and local dignitaries throw money and sweets from the south-facing balcony as a wooden carving of the town’s patron Allende is paraded through the streets.

The building’s size reflects not only the historic power of the church in the area but also the local wealth, in part due to Ezcaray’s strategic location on trading and herding routes and also the powerful wool trade. The church was declared a cultural monument in 1967. In 2012, the XVI-century retablo was extensively restored and the smaller northern chapel sectioned off by glass walls, largely to save on winter heating costs.

Ezcaray

Ezcaray is an historic town that has kept much of its character and old buildings centred around two pedestrianised plazas.

TO SEE: Ezcaray is a compact town making it an excellent place to stroll around, taking in the old buildings and enjoying the atmosphere. The puente a puente circuit between the two bridges which cross the River Oja is a popular paseo. Just outside the town lies the Virgin Allende chapel while overlooking Ezcaray is the chapel of Santa Bárbara. Before lunch and during the early evening the historic, pedestrianised town centre is alive with people going from bar to bar enjoying wine and tapas.

RECOMMEND: Roman and prehistoric remains have been discovered in the area but growth of the town (whose name is Basque in origin) is thanks in large part to its 1312 Charter (Fuero) granted by King Fernando IV. In an attempt to populate the area, he decreed that people living in the valley were free of all but minimal taxes and also granted amnesty for various types of miscreants.

By the 16th century Ezcaray was know for its textile industry and in the 1800s as many as 29 textile factories operated in the area employing around 1,000 people. The largest of these was the Fábrica Real which now houses a theatre and town council offices.
Today, apart from tourism, Ezcaray is known internationally for its manufacture of cinema and theatre seats. You pass the factories on the way into town if coming from Santo Domingo. The seats (butacas) are widely sold in France, Germany, Britain and further afield.

Ezcaray: Textile Factory

Visit the textile factory of Ezcaray, La Rioja, Spain.

TO SEE: A large part of Ezcaray’s historic wealth is due to the wool industry and today the town continues to be known across Spain for its high-quality and beautiful wool products. The town’s blankets are sold in classy shops in European capitals and you can see how they are made (and buy them at an extremely competitive price) direct from the factory shop just round the corner from the hotel at C/ González Gallarza 12.

Virgin Allende chapel

Walk to Virgin Allende chapel, Ezcaray – La Rioja.

TO SEE: The chapel honouring the town’s patron saint is built on the approaching slopes to the “Picota” – the sheer cliff which dominates the northern entrance to Ezcaray. The 1km walk to the chapel from the Echaurren takes you along Av Navarra, over the River Oja to La Estación, the town’s former railway station, which is now a bar with pleasant gardens to escape the summer heat. From here, head towards the Picota. There’s a fairly steep but well-maintained ascent for the last 80 metres.

 Inside the baroque building you’ll find a wooden carving of the Virgin Allende and an important collection of arquebusier angels (angels depicted with muzzle-loading weapons). There’s a nice view of Ezcaray from the chapel lawn and an even better one if you’ve got the energy to follow the unmaintained and at times steep path to the top of the Picota.

Sierra de Gredos Regional Reserve

Trekking or snowshoeing in the Sierra de Gredos mountain range, Spain.

TO SEE: Circo de Gredos – a glacial cirque situated in the central part of the northern slope – 2382 meters high, Laguna Grande lake, the Spanish goat…

TO DO: Trekking, snowshoeing

RECOMMEND: Ascending to the Laguna.

Tormes River

Hiking in the Sierra de Gredos mountain range, Tormes river and Las Chorreras waterfalls, Castile-Leon, Spain.

TO SEE: Wild flowers, mushrooms

TO DO: Hiking

RECOMMEND: Visit the “Las Chorreras” waterfalls.

Routes

Crossing Sierra de Gredos mountain range

Crossing Sierra de Gredos mountain range from north to south in the region of Castile-León, Spain.

This route will take you across the Sierra de Gredos mountains, from north to south. In the Northern part you will enjoy the alpine zone and 1000 meters downwards you’ll find the almost Mediterranean area of southern Gredos. The route can be done by car or hiking, using the traditional paths of the seasonal migration of livestock.

Possibility of spending the night in a hotel of Boutique Hotels, El Milano Real, on the north side and Esquiladores Posada Real on the south side. We also organize transfers of luggage and provide self-guided or guided routes.

Points:
Sierra de Gredos mountains.

Festivals and Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.