What to see in Moreda de Álava

The first written reference in the history of Moreda de Álava dates back to the year 939 and in a document related to the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla in which payments in measures of wine, are fixed. It seems that the members of the community used the wine as an offering to the religious institution. Given its early documentary appearance, Moreda de Álava is considered the oldest population in the region.

As a border nucleus with the Navarrese crown, Moreda de Álava had a walled perimeter, part of which has survived to this day. It also kept appearing in the Council of Laguardia until 1666. It is then that Doña Mariana de Austria, mother of King Carlos II, granted the category of village to the rea after having paid a large amount of money, partly funded by the nuns of the Convent Madre de Dios de Logroño.

Since at least 1705 Festival of the Judas that, unlike other similar ones, is characterized by including a female Judas, among other singularities.

As history has shown, wine production continues to be the main economic activity of the town today. In addition, together with Lanciego, Moreda it is the only municipality in the area where olive oil has traditionally been manufactured.

It is advisable to visit Moreda on Resurrection Sunday, when young people organize the unique Fiesta of the Judas.

The center has much to offer in Moreda de Álava, the city is built along the bottom of a small hill, making all its buildings to face the south. Wandering through its streets we will find a large selection of noble constructions of nobility built in ashlar masonry stone, with big doors and arches shields on their facades.At the top of the village, we see the Parish Church of Santa María, a striking architectural ensemble erected in two stages between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. The Cover of the Creator, a plateresque sculptural relief of the first half of the XVI century in which Christian and pagan mythological figures are represented, stands out on its exterior part. The interior of the church houses an impressive churrigueresque high altarpiece from the 17^th century, excellent wall paintings in its main chapel and dome, as well as an image of the Virgin, heiress of the typology of the Andra-Mari Romanesque-Gothic traditions of the Basque Country.

At the edge of the road, at number 12 on San Roque Street, there is a unique 16^th-century Renaissance building. The peculiarity of this construction lies in its location at different levels, which forced the adoption of alternative technical solutions to the traditional in its external and internal approach. It has two facades, both in ashlar masonry and with half-point arches.

On the outskirts of the town, in the premises of the Cooperative oil Trujal La Equidad from the mid-twentieth century is preserved and is well worth a visit.

Moreda de Álava is a population of great gastronomic wealth. As it is a typical Rioja Alavesa municipality, it has an excellent wine production whose origins date back to the time of Roman occupation.  Zurracapote, a mix of wine, lemon, sugar and cinnamon, is a very popular dish among residents, and a must-eat during celebrations. Sartenada, a stew made from potatoes, peppers, snails and chilli peppers, all stirred with excellent local olive oil, is also a well-known dish.