La Rioja is Spain's smallest mainland autonomous community and one of the world's great wine regions, producing the celebrated Rioja DOCa wines along the sun-drenched banks of the Ebro River. Beyond the vineyards, medieval monasteries, Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, and rugged Sierra de la Demanda mountains make this a destination of remarkable depth.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped La Rioja.
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1
Celtiberian Berones tribe inhabit the Ebro valley
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2
Roman conquest; cities of Vareia and Calagurris (Calahorra) founded. Quintilian born in Calahorra c. 35 AD.
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3
Visigothic kingdoms rule after Roman withdrawal; early Christian monasteries founded
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4
Moorish conquest; Islamic occupation of most of La Rioja
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5
Kingdom of Navarre reconquers La Rioja; Logroño founded c. 923
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6
Glosas Emilianenses written at San Millán de la Cogolla — the oldest written Castilian Spanish
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7
Camino de Santiago Francés route through La Rioja brings European pilgrims; Nájera, Logroño, Santo Domingo flourish
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8
La Rioja annexed to Kingdom of Castile; wine production expands
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9
Logroño holds off French siege — commemorated by annual free wine and food on Puente de Piedra (11 June)
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10
Phylloxera devastates French vineyards; French winemakers bring technique to Haro. Marqués de Murrieta and Marqués de Riscal establish first modern bodegas.
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11
La Rioja becomes autonomous community of Spain
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12
Rioja wine receives DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada) — highest Spanish wine classification
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13
Monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historical sites
Places where La Rioja's past comes alive.
Historic
Monasterio de Yuso (San Millán de la Cogolla)
Admission: €6 adults (~$6.60)
Historic
Monasterio de Suso (San Millán de la Cogolla)
Admission: €3 adults (~$3.30)
Historic
Catedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Admission: €7 adults (~$7.70)
Historic
Santa María la Real de Nájera
Admission: €3.50 adults (~$3.85)
Historic
Murallas Romanas de Calahorra
Admission: Free