Pure Rioja beauty
Briones belongs to the select club of the most beautiful villages in Spain and is one of the preferred destinations for lovers of rural tourism where nature, culture and wine they are protagonists.
A STORY FULL OF INTRIGUES
Briones is located in the heart of the famous Saw of Demand , a place where large cradles of wine such as Haro and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Land of vineyards, clean air and small medieval towns that intensely experienced unification after the Reconquest.
It was in the spotlight after being repopulated by Christians
Being a natural border between the Kingdom of Castile and Navarre , Briones was in the spotlight after being repopulated by the Christians. With the assassination of Sancho II, Briones would pass into the hands of his brother Alfonso VI (the king of the Cid), which would be done with Castile and La Rioja , being ceded to the House of Haro.
It is from this moment when the Ebro basin begins to be fortified, since the crown wanted to preserve these lands so rich and such strategic positions.
It is precisely that wall one of the main attractions of Briones, a small town that has passed through many hands until ending up in those of the Dukes of Osuna, that they would take care of their guard for a few centuries and leave a remarkable footprint in its streets.
As in other medieval cities, the wall was built on an old , and of the six doors that existed, two are preserved: The Puerta de la Media Luna and the Puerta de la Villa.
A SMALL CITY OF PALACES
The route map in Briones is drawn through cobbled streets that have seen time pass under the watchful eye of majestic mansions and a good bouquet of churches , which have earned it the category of Artistic Ensemble since 1973.
Impossible to resist its medieval essence
His thing is to go free, even trying to follow the trail of what was once the wall from Calle Mayor and up to Plaza de España.
On the way to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and following the wall, there are two of the most beautiful mansions in the city: the Palacio de los Quincoces, from the 16th century, and that of Gadea, from the 18th century, in an incredible state of preservation.
You can get to the remains of what was the castle of Briones , whose remains are visible in the tower of homage , currently in ruins but which offers one of the most beautiful views of the Sierra de la Demanda as far as the eye can see.
Arriving at the square, we meet the magnificent Palace of the Marquises of San Nicolás, a palatial building from the 18th century that is currently seat of the Town Hall and the Enchanted House Ethnographic Museum, a walk through the history of the town that unravels the customs of other times and that allows knowledge and popular culture not to be lost over the years.
In one of the corners of the square is located one of the houses most loved by the brioneros, the one they call “La Casona”. Possibly one of the oldest and well-preserved buildings in La Rioja , because this peculiar stone and wood house **dates from the 16th century **and is a mandatory photo stop.
The big house
Briones has several temples of tourist interest, although there are two that are a must. On the one hand, the Hermitage of Cristo de los Remedios, dating from the 18th century and inside you can see three rococo style altarpieces spectacular.
Secondly the Church of the Assumption , located in the same square. This 16th-century Elizabethan Gothic temple was declared Well of Cultural Interest in 1981 and it almost looks like a miniature cathedral. Inside is an impressive Baroque organ from the 17th century.
CUISINE OF VINE AND SARMIENTO
We are in the land of cuisine with vine shoots, roast and pairings with some spectacular wines that are born from centennial vines and a lot of dedication on the part of entire families, who hide cellars in the basements of their houses. Such is the importance of wine culture that in Briones you can visit a dedicated museum exclusively to this jewel of our gastronomy.
This is the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, recognized as one of the best in the world and one of the must see on the escape to Briones.
Vivanco Winery in the heart of Briones
In the museum there is a journey through the importance of wine in our country, its elaboration and projection, not without stopping at a good tasting that precedes a meal in his restaurant. Perfect place to discover Riojan style potatoes or suckling lamb or relax in the gastrobar on the terrace with a good glass of wine, while enjoying a beautiful view of the vineyards.
Another of the great options to eat in Briones is in the Los 4 Arcos Restaurant (Close to Forty, 2), real temple of chops with vine shoots, blood sausage and sirloin. Here you must not forget to try your homemade cheesecake , Friend's advice.
There is even the possibility of eating in some 17th century cellars, more specifically in the Los Calaos de Briones restaurant (San Juan, 13) , a restaurant that has literally been carved out of the rock and that since 2004 offers traditional Rioja cuisine treated with care and care.
Los Calaos de Briones Restaurant
PLUS...
Briones is located in a fascinating natural environment. From the town there are various paths that run along part of the banks of the Ebro and that allow you to enjoy a landscape dotted with vineyards and nature in its purest state. All roads are prepared for hiking and cycling route.
The third weekend of June are celebrated in Briones their well-known Medieval Days, a festival of National Tourist Interest that attracts curious people from all over the country. Unfortunately, a couple of days ago they announced that this year They cannot be celebrated either due to the pandemic.
Yes there are mask in the restaurant you go to, do not hesitate to try it.