Discover Navaridas: Culture, Nature and Wine

In Navaridas, the archaeological zone of the Poblado del Alto de Castejón settlement is classified as a cultural asset in the Monument Complex category.

Culture and History

An appointment is required to visit Alto de Castejón. At least 24 hours' notice is required for this appointment. Anyone wishing to visit this site should therefore arrange the appointment before their visit.

The Centro de Interpretación de Navaridas presents the history of the surrounding area. This presentation spans the period from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

The Centro de Interpretación del Alto de El Castejón in Navaridas presents the results of the archaeological excavations. Interactive elements are part of this presentation.

The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción has two portals. The Gothic portal is currently sealed up. The Baroque portal serves as the entrance to the church interior.

The Baroque main altar of the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción features gold inlays.

The Casa Palacio de los Sodupe is a manor house. The building dates from the 18th century. The Casa Palacio de los Sodupe is designed in the Baroque style. As a cultural asset, the building is classified in the Monument category.

The Santa Eulalia necropolis is a cemetery carved into the rock. 28 burials have been documented there.

The Las Mañas festival is celebrated on 7 December. Las Mañas has pagan origins. The festival commemorates the arrival of winter. During Las Mañas, residents gather around a large fire. The fire is called Marcho. Lavender torches are lit in a purification ritual.

The cultural spectrum in Navaridas thus ranges from archaeological excavations and a necropolis to church art, a Baroque manor house and an annual tradition held in December. The places and traditions mentioned preserve different chapters of the town's history.

Nature and Landscape

Laguna de Navaridas is a wetland. Its area covers approximately three hectares. Laguna de Navaridas has no outflow. The wetland is completely surrounded by vineyards.

Laguna de Navaridas belongs to the network of protected natural areas in the Basque Country. It is included as a protected wetland in the sectoral wetland plan.

Carrascal de Navaridas is one of the few remaining fragments of dry Mediterranean holm-oak forest in Rioja Alavesa.

Thus, Navaridas' landscape features a closed-basin wetland and a fragment of dry Mediterranean holm-oak forest alongside the vineyards. The lagoon is further characterised by its protected status and its location, completely surrounded by vineyards.

Wine

The quarter of Navaridas is dedicated to wineries. It occupies the eastern side of the hill. The wineries are dug into the hill on three levels.

The hillside location and the three levels carved into the rock give this quarter a clearly recognisable architectural structure. Here, winegrowing appears not only as a landscape element, but also in the form of the town.

Other Places

Also discover: Laserna, Guinea, Guinea, Bernedo, Abornikano, Villanañe, Goiuri-Ondona, Campezo / Kanpezu and Maturana.

Route

The route is called Patrimonio de Navaridas. It starts at the Pilón in Navaridas. The route continues to the Yacimiento Alto Castejón.

The route thus connects a starting point in Navaridas with the archaeological destination at Alto Castejón. Its course follows the two points mentioned in the town area in a fixed direction.

For the overview of the broader trip: Alava.