Galilea: Church Art, August Festivals and Panoramic Views

Galilea is located in the lower Valle de Ocón on a prominent hill. From there, views extend towards the Sierra de Cantabria in the northwest, the western Pyrenees in the northeast, and the beech and pine forests of the Sierra de la Hez in the south.

Culture

The parish church of San Vicente Mártir was begun in the first half of the 16th century. Its star-vaulted structure combines dressed stone, rubble masonry and brick. It has a Baroque chapel dedicated to the Virgen de El Pilar from the 18th century, as well as a tower dating from the 17th to 18th century. The main altarpiece is divided into a base and three levels arranged along three axes; its relief scenes depict the martyrdom of Saint Vincent.

The El Pilar Chapel is a regional Baroque work from the early 18th century. Juan José de Tejada founded and furnished it in 1710; it includes a dome with a lantern and its own sacristy. Its altarpiece was commissioned in 1709 from the architect José Ramírez and the sculptor Juan Félix de Camporredondo. The Ermita de la Virgen de Gracia has an 18th-century structure and houses a Romanist statue of the Virgin from the 16th century. It also contains a classicist main altarpiece from the mid-17th century with painted panels, as well as an altar cross decorated with 18th-century embroidery.

The church of Galilea also houses a Romanist representation of Saint Roch, dated to the period from the 16th to the 18th century. The sculpture of the main altarpiece is recognised as a contribution to La Rioja's Romanist artistic heritage. Diego de Tejada y Laguardia, who was born in Galilea, had his episcopal palace built; work began in the summer of 1663. The building was constructed over three levels, with dressed stone on the lower level and brick and masonry on the remaining levels. The Fuente de El Cuco is one of Galilea's most representative fountains.

Conservation work on the choir loft of San Vicente Mártir, which dates from the 16th century, remedied moisture problems and falling plaster. The glazing of the chapel of the Virgen de El Pilar's dome skylight was also replaced, and its covering was improved.

History and Festivals

Galilea's historical development was linked to the Tierra de Ocón until 19 May 1865. Between 1842 and 1865, Galilea, together with Corera and El Redal, became independent of the former authority and an autonomous municipality. The main festivals include the Virgen de la Ascensión on 15 August and San Roque from 16 August onwards. The representation of Saint Roch is carried in a procession and venerated on 16 August. The procession for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary in August is generally considered Galilea's best-attended and most celebrated procession.

Hiking

Galilea offers attractive, easy to moderately difficult hiking routes with a recommended duration of four to five hours, particularly in autumn and spring. The combination of route character, duration and season provides a clear basis for planning your days between hiking and culture.

Wine

Bodegas Nestares Eguizábal offers winery tours with tastings. Founded by José María Nestares in 1998, the family winery owns vineyards in Galilea in Rioja Baja. It produces wine from vineyards planted with the Tempranillo grape variety in the early 1980s on a plateau between the Valle de Ocón and the valley of the Río Jubera.

Geographical Setting

There are two access routes for reaching Galilea. The journey via either route takes no more than 20 to 25 minutes; both roads are considered to be in very good condition. Galilea's multi-purpose building includes a youth hostel area with capacity for 32 people in four dormitories.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Hornos de Moncalvillo, Baños de Río Tobía, Santo Domingo De La Calzada, Logroño, Torremontalbo, Nájera, Valgañón, Briñas

For the higher-level travel overview: La Rioja.