Discover Rivabellosa

History

Ribabellosa hosted the 1463 assembly at which the Hermandad de Álava adopted the “Cuaderno de Ordenanzas de Hermandades”. The 1463 assembly is regarded as a key event in the process of Álava’s integration. The Juntas Generales de Álava were held at the Palacio Saenz de Santamaria in 1463. The Palacio is therefore connected with the history of the area not only through its architecture, but also through its role as this historic meeting place.

The Palacio Saenz de Santamaria is an 18th-century Baroque building. It includes a tower. A gallery with round-arched arcades forms part of the building. The Palacio also features a coat of arms. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario was built at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries. Both structures preserve different traces of time in the townscape and complement the political overview with visible architecture.

Routes and pilgrimage

In the Middle Ages, Ribabellosa was an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to Santiago. The route led from San Adrián into the Álava region and onward to Burgos. Ribabellosa lies at an important crossroads. This connected the Llanada Alavesa with the Meseta. The historic route through the town is therefore associated both with pilgrim travel and with connections extending beyond the region.

Later, the Camino Real de Postas ran through Ribabellosa. It connected the royal court with the French border. Alavabus line 15A connects Miranda, Ribabellosa and Armiñón.

The present-day Puente de Ribabellosa dates from 1863. The bridge is 46 metres long. It crosses the Bayas River. From the town, it leads towards the Castilian territories.

The Ermita de San Juan y Santa Magdalena stands on a hill. From there, there is a view across Ribabellosa. The Ermita welcomes pilgrims who arrive in the town along the Camino de Santiago. The hill thus forms the elevated location of the chapel within the pilgrimage route described.

Observation

A cylindrical equatorial sundial was installed in Ribabellosa’s Plaza Mayor in August 2011 in honour of Warren De La Rue. Warren De La Rue set up an observatory near Ribabellosa on the occasion of the solar eclipse of 18 July 1860. There, he photographed solar prominences. The sundial and the former observatory thus link a place in the town with a specific astronomical event and its observation.

Festivals and food

The 9th International Álava Black Truffle Fair in Ribabellosa was open to everyone. Its offerings included tastings, among other things. In Ribabellosa, the festival in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on 7 October. The thanksgiving festival is celebrated on the last Sunday in August. The fair thus stands alongside the two fixed local festival days as a separate type of event.

Other places

Other places in Álava include Viñaspre, Aprikano, Lapuebla Labarka, Lagran, Izarra, Villanañe, Corro and Lezama.

For the overarching travel overview: Alava.