Salinillas De Buradon: Old Town, Camino de Santiago and Hotels

Salinillas De Buradon combines an old town with a medieval character, significant historic buildings and a connection to the Camino de Santiago. The underground wine cellars are also part of the townscape. If you are looking for a destination with cultural and historical attractions, you can explore a range of themes during your stay.

Squares and the medieval old town

The old town has three squares: Plaza de la Iglesia, Plaza de Oriente and Plaza Mayor. The latter is considered the town’s most important and prominent square. The medieval townscape includes narrow streets and buildings with two or three storeys. Elegant projections and ground-floor arcades also shape its historic appearance. Two monumental gates with defensive features, including loopholes and the remains of the battlement walk, are set into the walls. The squares, buildings and gates reveal different aspects of the town’s historic layout.

Church and historic buildings

The Church of the Immaculate Conception dates from the 16th century. Its floor plan is shaped like a Latin cross, and its apse is polygonal. The church also contains a Rococo altarpiece. Beneath the choir is the Renaissance tomb of Pedro Vélez de Guevara and Juana Enríquez de Acuña, dating from 1599. It is considered one of the best-preserved tombs in the province of Álava. The church thus brings together architectural forms and works of art from different historical periods.

The Palacio de los Condes de Oñate was built between 1631 and 1666 in the classical Roman style. The medieval tower of the Sarmiento and Ayala families, around which the palace was built, is still visible today. Another historic building is the 14th-century Gothic Hospital de Santa Ana. It served as a hospital for the poor, the sick and pilgrims. Together, the palace, tower and hospital give an impression of the town’s diverse architectural history.

The history of salt and the Camino de Santiago

In 1264, King Alfonso X the Wise granted town privileges to the settlement, which lies by a spring and saltworks. The saltworks had already been exploited since the 12th century. These two dates mark different stages in the town’s history: the saltworks were in use long before the town privileges were granted. Salinillas De Buradon is also the last town in the province of Álava on the Camino de Santiago route towards Santiago de Compostela.

On the Camino del Interior Vasco Riojano, the route initially follows the GR-99 from Buradón. It then climbs for approximately two kilometres to Portillo de la Lobera. This approximate distance refers to the ascent described here. For travel planning, the Camino de Santiago can therefore offer a different focus from the town’s historic squares and buildings. Salinillas De Buradon is also a gateway to Rioja Alavesa via the N-124 road.

Wine cellars and travel planning

The underground wine cellars take centre stage during the Jornada de Puertas Abiertas de Bodegas, held in June. Alongside the history and the Camino de Santiago, this is another specific reason to consider Salinillas De Buradon as a travel destination. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, first consider whether the old town, its architectural history, the route towards Santiago or the wine cellar event in June will shape your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Labastida.