The city of Logroño, linked to the Santiago Way and the vineyards of La Rioja, is a town with wide streets that are pleasant to walk down. The Ebro river crosses through it and features four bridges, which are some of the most prominent features of the city. Among other features of the city, we would like to highlight Puente de Piedra or the Puente de San Juan de Ortega (built in 1884, taking the place of the other one, which collapsed in 1881) and the Puente de Hierro or Puente de Sagasta of 1882.
The historical area in Logroño is surrounded by the Plaza del Mercado. In one of its highest points, you will find the Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda (15th-18th century), declared Heritage of Cultural Interest. It was but during the 15th century on top of an old Roman temple. Its carefully sculpted front door stands out along with the two baroque towers. In its interior, you can observe many pieces by Castilian sculptor Gregorio Fernández and a painting called The Crucifixion by Michelangelo.
Inside of the historical center of Logroño, you will find three important temples. The first one if the San Bartolomé Church, which has also been awarded the Heritage of Cultural Interest. It was constructed first in the 18th century attached to one of the walls of the medieval city and then was later reconstructed in the 15th century. It features a beautiful gothic front door in which many sculptures can be found. You will also notice a Mudejar tower. Construction on the Iglesia de Santa María del Palacio began in the 12th century, although it continued to be remodeled until the 18th century. Its gothic character is so strong that the writer Dionisio Ridruejo said that it was the “sharpest, most original, and boldest [construction] of gothic Spain in its beginning stages in the 13th century.” It has been declared a Heritage of Cultural Interest. Lastly, the Iglesia de Santiago el Real is a monumental building that was constructed in the 16th century on top of a gothic temple. The facade, which was built in the 17th century, is thought to be a sort of “arc de triomf” and is decorated with two sculptures of the the apostle Santiago. Inside, you will find the meeting place of city council, which is why government documents are saved. It also houses the Virgin of Hope, patron saint of Logroño. This last temple is next to the Plaza de Santiago, in which a singural game of the goose is recreated, as it relates to the Santiago Way.
Amongst the civil architecture, Logroño has many must-see sights such as the Marqués del Monasterio Palace, a renaissance building from the 16th century, remodeled in the 18th century. The Palacio de Espartero from the 18th century also stands out, which was the old residence of the General along with being used as the episcopal headquarters during the time. Since 1963, this building has housed the La Rioja Museum, which presents a wide collection of history and art from the region.
Another emblematic space in this city is the Paseo del Príncipe de Vergara o del Espolón, which began to be built in the early year of 1757 as a public route on the outside of the walls that protected the city. On the path, you can see the Espartero Monument (1872), a statue of the chief architect of the project, Luis and Tomás, and of the sculptor Pablo Gilbert.
The Teatro Bretón de los Herreros, created by Félix Navarro at the end of the 19th century, is another one of the most representative buildings of the city. Currently, it is categorized as a Heritage of Cultural Interest.