Navaridas: Wetland, Wine Landscape and Cultural Heritage

Navaridas combines a landscape shaped by vineyards with a protected wetland and historic heritage. The lagoon and the holm oak grove offer contrasting natural features; the church, Casa Palacio, winery district and archaeological sites complete the picture.

Nature between wetlands and holm oak woodland

The Laguna de Navaridas is an endorheic wetland of about 3 hectares, completely surrounded by vineyards. It belongs to the network of protected natural areas of the Basque Country and is also included as a protected wetland in the sectoral wetland plan. The Carrascal de Navaridas offers a striking contrast: it is one of the few remaining fragments of dry Mediterranean holm oak woodland in Rioja Alavesa. Here, a wetland amid vineyards and a rare woodland fragment represent two different landscape types.

Architectural history and archaeological heritage

The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción has two portals with different styles and functions. The Gothic portal is currently bricked up; the Baroque one serves as the entrance to the church. There is also a Baroque main altarpiece with gold inlay.

The Casa Palacio de los Sodupe is an 18th-century manor house in the Baroque style and is designated a Cultural Asset in the Monument category.

The archaeological zone of the Poblado del Alto de Castejón settlement in Navaridas is designated a Cultural Asset in the Monumental Complex category. Another form of archaeological heritage is the Santa Eulalia necropolis: a cemetery carved into the rock, with 28 documented burials.

Route and interpretation at Alto de Castejón

The Patrimonio de Navaridas route begins at the Pilón in Navaridas and leads to the Yacimiento Alto Castejón archaeological site. A visit to Alto de Castejón requires an appointment to be made at least 24 hours in advance.

The interpretation centres also focus on different aspects. The Centro de Interpretación de Navaridas presents the history of the surrounding area from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The Centro de Interpretación del Alto de El Castejón in Navaridas presents the results of archaeological excavations using interactive features. In this way, a broad historical period and excavation findings offer two different ways of exploring the history of the area.

Winery district and local tradition

Navaridas’s winery district occupies the eastern side of the hill; the cellars are dug into the hill on three levels. This layout makes the hill itself part of the district’s architecture.

The Las Mañas festival is associated with 7 December. It has pagan origins and marks the arrival of winter. As part of the ritual, residents gather around a large fire called Marcho and light lavender torches as a purification ritual.

Discover more destinations: Amurrio, Gopegi, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Lezama, Bernedo, Maturana, Lalastra, Ibarguren

For the overview of the wider region: Alava.