Profile of Laguardia
Laguardia is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in Spain. It is also located right
in Rioja wine country and is the perfect base for your wine tour of Spain's most well known red wine
region. Laguardia is a medieval hill hamlet (called "villa" in Spanish), reminiscent of Tuscan hilltop
villages. It is surrounded by an ancient wall, and has a delightful jumble of cobblestoned streets lined
with "Tabernas", wine shops, palaces, and cafes. Laguardia was founded in the year 1164 by King Sancho
Abarca, and the spectacularly preserved wall dates back to the 15th century. The entire village became
protected as Patrimony of Spain in 1964. The name "Laguardia" originates from "La Guardia de Navarra",
the "Guard" of Navarra, referring to its strategic importance in the kingdom of Navarre.
Before the medieval village was built (as we can see today), deep tunnels were carved out in the hill and
the village of Laguardia was actually underground. The tunnels were used as a defence tactic, but over
the centuries came to be used to store wine and eventually to even make wine. In 1486, Laguardia was
incorporated into the Kingdom of the Catholic Monarchs (Isabel and Ferdinand), who would unite the
kingdoms of Castille and Aragon in 1492, to form what is now "Spain", and the village was built on top
of the existing village. The medieval wall was erected as were many aristocratic palaces, many of them
restored and still standing. In the 19th century, much of the medieval wall was destroyed during the
"Carlista" wars and the War of Independence.
These days, Laguardia is a wealthy hamlet, full of gourmet restaurants, charming small hotels, beautiful
views over vines and the amazing backdrop of the Cantabrian Mountains. Whether you visit Laguardia with
Cellar Tours or on your own, the important thing is that you come to spend a few days and that you eat
and drink well. A visit to Laguardia is like stepping back in time, and the village is simply one of the
loveliest places you could hope to visit in Spain. We hope to show you Laguardia soon!
Gastronomy and Wine
Laguardia is a village where the locals live to eat and drink. For such a tiny village, there is an
abundance of dining options. The village pertains to La Rioja geographically but to Basque Country
politically and culturally. It is one of the most important wine villages in Rioja Alavesa called so
because it is also part of the sub-region of "Alava". The cuisine is some of the best in Spain, with
roast, milk fed lamb, hake, and a colorful array of vegetable dishes being the main players on the
dinner table. Roast artichokes, sautéed spicy roast peppers (Pimientos de Piquillo), Swiss chard
stuffed with ham and cheese, white asparagus dressed in balsamic vinegar and Olive Oil, potatoes
("Patatas a la Riojana"), Fava beans with chorizo and wild mushrooms are all quite typical in local
dishes. An then the wine..the choices are endless in this part of the world. Even tiny, hole in the
wall restaurants have wine lists that look like encyclopaedias. The principal wines available are of
course Tempranillo and Mazuelo based reds from la Rioja, Garnacha based rosé wines from neighboring
Navarra and Verdejo based white wines from the up-and-coming wine region of Rueda. The white wines
from La Rioja, based on the Viura grape, are waning in popularity, although the historic winery of
Marques de Murrieta makes a smashing white wine. While not made in the area, the sparkling wine
"Cava" is a classic aperitif. After your 6 or 7 course taster menu at any of the local gourmet haunts,
a digestif is essential. The most common digestif in La Rioja (as well as Navarra and Basque Country)
is Pacharán (Sloe Berry Liqueur).
Highlights
La Plaza Mayor de Laguardia
The main square of this village has a pretty arcaded Town Hall (which dates back to the 15th century)
with a Royal Coat of arms dedicated to Carlos V and a very unusual clock with dancing hands (called the
"Reloj de Carillon"). The square has a wonderful wine shop, with amazing wines such as Ramirez de Ganuza,
Artadi and Finca Valpiedra at very competitive prices. The main square is the center of village life,
and during the local festivals and fiestas, it comes alive. There is an unusual Bagpipe festival in
Laguardia in May, an event that originated in the middle ages. The villagers have a parade with bag
pipe musicians, jugglers, etc.
La Muralla- the Medieval Wall
The fortification of Laguardia is the most impressive aspect of the pretty village. The wall wraps clear
around the hamlet, and in the fall, the locals hang peppers out on the wall to dry in the sun. There
are four main vaulted entrances into the village through the Muralla, and various turrets and towers.
The storks, so typical in La Rioja, have claimed the towers and church tops of Laguardia as their home,
and you can see the beautiful birds flying overhead daily.
El Poblado de la Hoya
In 1935, the Hoya archaeological site was discovered by a villager from Laguardia. What the
archaeologists discovered was breathtaking- a Bronze Age settlement dating back 3,500 years!
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