Elciego: Wine, Architecture and Traditional Festivals

The Marqués de Riscal complex in Elciego combines the original winery with a new building. This new building was designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry. At Marqués de Riscal, it is 24 metres high and has four floors. The winery and an architecturally independent new building therefore meet at this location.

Culture

The parish church of San Andrés in Elciego was built from ashlar stone in the 16th century. Its design combines various architectural styles. The earliest construction phases are attributed to the Gothic style. The new sacristy belongs to the Neoclassical period. The church thus encompasses construction phases from different eras within a single place of worship.

On the banks of the Río Mayor, the church of San Andrés stands on a large levelling platform. From the perspective of the river, this platform is particularly impressive. The platform forms an independent element of the architectural complex on the riverbank.

The Ermita de la Virgen de la Plaza is an 18th-century building. It stands on a possibly Gothic predecessor dating from the 14th century. The hermitage preserves a 14th-century Andra-Mari carved figure of the Virgen de la Plaza. The building, its predecessor and the carved figure thus combine two different historical periods.

The Palacio Ramírez de la Piscina is classified as a monument. It belongs to the category of qualified cultural heritage designated by the Basque Government. The Casa de los Hierros is a Baroque mansion. It is known for its wraparound corner balcony. The building is also known for its ironwork. The balcony and the ironwork are therefore among the defining features of this house.

The Espacio Cifujazz illustrates Juan Claudio Cifuentes' television work and his radio activities through visual recreations. The Espacio Cifujazz houses an exhibition of Juan Claudio Cifuentes' awards and honours. This exhibition leads to the area where his record collection is kept. Television, radio, awards and record collection are linked there in sequence.

Walking Tour

The Elciego Tourist Office offers a guided tour of the town centre. This tour visits the Iglesia Parroquial de San Andrés and the Ermita de la Virgen de la Plaza. The two churches are therefore among the stops explicitly included in the tour. Advance booking for the guided tour is required by telephone or email.

Other places in the same higher-level area are El Campillar, Eskuernaga, Lasarte, Ibarguren, Pobes, Pinedo, Páganos and Aprikano.

Wine and Traditions

Elciego's traditional dances are performed every year on 8 September in honour of the Virgen de la Plaza. The festival in honour of the Virgen de la Plaza on 8 September includes a procession, a solemn mass and various offerings. The festival also features music and traditional dances. The religious occasion is thus combined with several established elements of the festival.

The Día de Gracias marks the end of a wine production cycle after the grapes have been harvested, transported away and pressed. At the same time, it signifies the beginning of a new production cycle. The transition therefore follows the complete processing of the grapes and marks the change between two wine cycles.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alava.