Discover Agoncillo: Castle, Ebro Landscape and Pilgrimage Routes

Agoncillo reveals its historic character immediately at Aguas Mansas Castle: The castle was designated a national historic-artistic monument in 1983 and is currently the seat of Agoncillo Town Hall. Here, the castle and town hall combine the historic building with its present-day public function.

Culture and History

The fortified Aguas Mansas palace has a rectangular floor plan and towers at all four corners. Two periods of history meet in the parish church of Santa María la Blanca: The church dates from the 18th century, while its first ashlar-stone construction dates back to the 16th century. Inside, there is also a 16th-century high altarpiece and a Mannerist depiction of Ecce Homo. Thus, at the palace, the exterior layout and its fortifications take centre stage, while the church combines architectural history and sacred artworks from different periods.

The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores is listed under Agoncillo in an inventory of landscapes of special and outstanding importance for La Rioja. The Velilla archaeological site is located near Agoncillo. Roman materials and the foundations of a building with an apsidal floor plan were found there; a medieval settlement was later established on the site.

Art and Getting There

The Würth La Rioja Museum was designed as an exhibition venue for international contemporary avant-garde art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The M7 Metropolitan bus between Logroño and Arrúbal stops at the Würth La Rioja Museum. This means that Agoncillo brings together sacred and historic sites, archaeological traces and an exhibition venue for international contemporary art.

Nature and Landscape

Los Americanos on the banks of the Ebro covers 145 hectares protected under PEPMAN. Between Agoncillo and Arrúbal, 820 hectares of traditional fruit-growing and horticultural land are catalogued as areas of natural interest. The different area figures make two clearly delineated landscape spaces within the nature theme visible.

Pilgrimage Routes

The section of the Camino Jacobeo del Ebro from Alcanadre to Logroño follows a level route through Agoncillo. The Camino Jacobeo del Ebro was used by pilgrims who wanted to travel from the Mediterranean to Compostela. Another stage from Logroño to Agoncillo runs parallel to the riverbank after crossing the Leza and enters Agoncillo near the Ermita de los Dolores. The routes described distinguish the paths according to their landscape and historical purpose. For comparing the two route descriptions, both the level section through Agoncillo and the route along the riverbank after crossing the Leza are therefore significant.

Local Character

Organic saffron is grown in Agoncillo and marketed under the Castillo de Aguas Mansas brand. Bodegas La Eralta is a family business founded in 1990 and based in Agoncillo.

Other Places

Santurde De Rioja, El Cortijo, Viniegra de Abajo, Santo Domingo De La Calzada, Laguna De Cameros, Grañón, Nalda, El Rasillo de Cameros

For the higher-level travel overview: La Rioja.