Logroño

Logroño is a city in northern Spain, on the Ebro River. It is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, formerly known as Logroño Province.

The population of Logroño in 2006 was 147,036. The city is a centre of the trade in Rioja wine, for which the area is noted, and also produces wood, metal, and textile products.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Economy
4 Places of interest
5 Recreation (plazas and parks)
6 Social life
7 Sports
8 Festivals and traditions
9 External links

Geography

Logroño is located in the northern region of La Rioja, on the river Ebro, 384 m above sea level. The Camino de Santiago passes through the city. The geographical coordinates of the city are: 42° 27´ N, 2° 29´ W.

The city is 152km to Bilbao, 336 to Madrid and 468 to Barcelona.

History

Logroño was an old settlement, first of the Romans, under the name of Vareia, a commercial port, and then of the celts. From the 10th century, possession of Logroño was disputed between the kings of Navarre and those of Castile; the region was finally annexed to Castile. Alfonso VI of Castile granted Logroño in 1095 a charter of rights that served as a model for other Spanish cities. In 1609 and 1610 Logroño was the main seat of the inquisition, a horrific episode in Spanish history.

Famous people of Logroño include Manuel Bretón de los Herreros, Fausto Elhúyar, Práxedes Mateo Sagasta, Rafael Azcona, Ramón Castroviejo, Marqués de la Ensenada, Navarrete "El Mudo".

Economy

Logroño is the shopping and financial capital of La Rioja. Its economy is heavily reliant on wine. It is twinned with Dunfermline, Scotland, UK. The new airport Logroño-Agoncillo connects the city with Madrid and Barcelona.

Places of interest

Con-Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda
Iglesia de San Bartolomé
Iglesia de Santiago
Iglesia de Palacio
Museo de La Rioja
Parlamento de La Rioja, an old factory of the tabacalera, the national tobacco company.
Muralla del Revellín
Fuente (Fountain) de la Gran Vía in which royal figures with a connection to either Logroño or La Rioja are represented in bronze. Because the figures are placed looking towards the public and so large torrents of water pour down behind them, the fountain is commonly known as the one with "wet backs".

Recreation (plazas and parks)

Image:Ayuntamiento de Logroño.jpg

Logroño Town Hall

Paseo del Príncipe de Vergara (El Espolón): Located in the financial center of the capital and positioned in the center by the statue of General Espartero.

Town Square: Located on the Avenue of Peace, the modern Town Hall of Logroño, designed by architect Rafael Moneo, is in a large plaza where in years past it has seen numerous public acts, festivals, expositions, concerts, and in the last few years, during Christmas, a life size reconstruction of the nativity scene.

Carmen Park: Located near the bus station, this park is one of the most beautiful of the city with its variety of flora and fauna including several ducks and birds.

Plaza del Mercado: Located somewhere near Calle Portales, one of the most famous avenues of the city, at the foot of the Round Cathedral. This is where the nightly festivals of Logroño occur, near Calle Mayor (Marqués de San Nicolas Street).

Parque del Ebro: Located near the Ebro, an extensive park full of vegetation ideal for relaxing. Also has a bike path traversing through the park.

Parque de la Ribera: Next to Parque del Ebro, recently constructed. Here many gardens are found alongside the Plaza de Toros de la Ribera). Also: Riojaforum

Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio de La Rioja

Parque de San Miguel

Social life

Calle del Laurel, known as "the path of the elephants" and Calle San Juan are typical streets where various restaurants and tapas-bars offer the best pinchos and tapas in northern Spain. Calle Portales is the main street in the old town, where people like to walk and sit in the terraces to have a meal or good wine. Calle Marqués de San Nicolás (otherwise known as Calle Mayor) is the main area where the young guns and the not-so-young-guns spend weekend nights.

Sports

And triple jumper Carlota Castrejana is from the city.

Festivals and traditions

Image:Logroño St Maria Palacio.jpg

Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda

The patron saint of Logroño is Santa María de la Esperanza.

The most important festivals are:

San Bernabé (Saint Barnabas), celebrated on June 11, commemorating the victory and resistance of Logroño against French invaders under Francis I that sieged the city in May and June of 1521. During this celebration, fried fish (trout) is typically served, along with bread and wine-said to be the food of Logroño during the French invasion.
San Mateo, celebrated between September 20 and September 26. Since 2006 the celebrations start the Saturday before September 21st (the day of Saint Matthew) and last for a week.