Peace Square in Haro in La Rioja
He wine tourism It is surely the main reason that will lead you to visit Haro in The Rioja, as I did many years ago on my first trip to this community.
But Haro it's much more than Rioja wine capital, which is how it is known.
On the contrary, it is a town with a long history whose historical Center already justifies a getaway by itself, beyond the essentialvisit one of their wineries.
Wines and tapas in La Herradura de Haro in La Rioja
I have been able to verify this again in my recent getaway during which I stayed in a charmingholiday apartment.
Haro history
The current location of the Haro villa it was already occupied in advance by the Celts and later by the Romans, and apparently, its name comes from a lighthouse that was at the confluence of the river tug with the Ebro.
During the Middle Ages, the village of Haro remained under the Manor of the Count of Haro.
And in 1808, under Napoleonic occupation, it was one of the first populations in Spain to adapt to the administrative model of Jose Bonaparte.
Palace of the Counts of Haro in Haro in La Rioja
But of its importance a good fact is that when we refer to this population, we must call it Haro city, as it was recognized in 1891 by the Regent Queen Maria Cristina.
What to see and do on Haro's visit
Apart from visiting one of the historic wineries where the prestigious Rioja wine is made, you walk through the historic center of Haro is going to focus on the Peace Square and its surroundings, where its numerous stand out palaces.
Wineries in the Barrio de la Estación in Haro
Of course, in your Haro's visit you have an unavoidable date in the known asStation Neighborhood, with the highest concentration of centuries-old wine cellars that you can find in the world.
That's where you find some of the best wine cellars of Rioja, because in this neighborhood near the center of Haro the most important of the Rioja wine capital.
That is the case, for example, CVNE wineries, with its very laureate wine Imperial and where can you see his famous Eiffel ship Where the wine ages.
OR Muga wineries, the only one in the world that has a staff cube to make its own wine vats, and where you can see the curious process of clarifying the wine by which it is cleaned with the egg white, once the yolks are removed.
OR Stem, the youngest of wineries in the Barrio de la Estación, which only produces wine with grapes from old vines collected by hand, and which has a curious bioclimatic ship.
In short, a visit in the really you canenjoy Rioja wine, and to know its history, an approximation of which we tell you in the video that accompanies this article.
The Horseshoe in Haro
Already in the historic center of Haro, your visit must start inHorseshoe, which is how the two streets that join the aforementioned are known Peace Square with the square of the Parish Church of Santo Tomás configure the shape of a horseshoe.
Graffiti at La Herradura de Haro in La Rioja
Horseshoe It is the place of daily appointment to go for wines of the residents and tourists who visit Haro, because in these narrow streets the tapas bars and skewers follow, as well as the restaurants.
Peace Square in Haro
He Haro nerve center is the Peace Square.
There you will be struck by the characteristic kiosk located in the center of it, and also highlights the 18th century building of the town hall, with its arcades with four arches.
This corner is decorated with a group of wine barrels that remind us of the roots of its production in this place in Rioja, which also affects the great graffiti which decorates the facade of one of the houses that overlooks the square.
Bendaña Palace
In the mentioned square there is also the palace of Bendaña orpaternina palace.
Cover of the church of Santo Tomás in Haro
Plateresque in style, this palatial building has a 15th-century Mudejar gallery.
It will be easy for you to recognize it because that is where the Haro Tourist Office.
St. Thomas Church
For its part, in Horseshoe, on the opposite side of the Peace Square, you find the church of Santo Tomás 16th century, which is built in flowery Gothic style.
It's about the parish church of Haro and the one closest to the Peace Square, and externally your beautiful cover will catch your attention.
Basilica of Our Lady of La Vega in Haro in La Rioja
Basilica of Ntra Sra de la Vega in Haro
However, the most important church in the city is the Basilica of Our Lady of la Vega.
Gothic in the mid-fifteenth century, this church stands out for housing the image of the patron of Haro, the aforementioned Virgin of the Vega.
Original of the 10th century and located next to the Gardens of the Vega, the current building is from the year 1703, and the baroque style altarpiece of 1740 stands out in its interior.
Palaces in Haro
Now in your walk through Haro It will be its palaces that will most attract your attention.
Palace of the Bezaras in Haro in La Rioja
For example, him Palace of the Counts of Haro, located next to the church of Santo Tomás, Baroque style, from the 16th to the 17th century.
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In its exterior it emphasizes the great cover with Solomonic columns.
Or the Palace of the Bezaras, 18th century baroque building also known as the Palace of the Storks by the great nest that there is on one of its chimneys, which you find in the central Vega street and now it is the headquarters of a banking institution.
Another building to highlight in Haro is that of the former headquarters of the Bank of Spain branch.
Established in 1892, its presence is a sign of the great importance that this Rioja city has historically always had as a wine producer.
Convent of San Agustín, now hotel of the Augustinians in Haro
Convent of San Agustín in Haro
Also the building of Convent of San Agustín, now headquarters of hotel Los Agustinos, which since the 16th century has had various uses, such as jail, school or hospital.
In short, you Haro's visit It will be a walk through history, both of its wine and the strength of a city.