Enciso: Discover Dinosaur Tracks and Cultural History

Enciso appeals to travelers who want to consider paleontological sites, historic buildings, and a hillside walking path. To decide whether the town fits your travel plans, it is worth looking at its different highlights: the number and presentation of tracks vary from site to site, while the churches, castle, and bridge reveal different periods. If you are looking for a hotel in Enciso, this interest may be just what tips the balance in choosing your destination.

Dinosaur Tracks and Their Interpretation

The Yacimiento Virgen del Campo contains more than 500 dinosaur tracks made by theropods and ornithopods. Particularly striking are two intersecting trackways made by a carnivore and a herbivore; they may possibly depict a fight. Visitor amenities at the site include dinosaur and crocodile replicas, a self-guided walk, a 360° viewer, and dinosaurs in a mobile augmented reality application. Here, tracks are presented alongside different ways of interpreting them.

The Yacimiento de Valdecevillo contains 168 dinosaur tracks and six life-size dinosaur replicas. It is also home to the first dinosaur tracks to be scientifically described in Spain. The Yacimiento de La Senoba has 130 tracks, including ten theropod and two ornithopod trackways; the site is signposted. The numbers and different trackways provide specific points of comparison between the sites.

The Centro Paleontológico de Enciso takes a different approach: using footprints, it presents different types of dinosaurs and explains their behavior. This lets you explore the paleontological themes from two perspectives: the sites offer insight into specific tracks, while the center explains what they tell us about dinosaur types and behavior.

Churches, Castle, and Bridge

The Iglesia de Santa María de la Estrella is a Gothic ashlar church built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The Iglesia de San Pedro dates from the late 15th or early 16th century, while its fortified tower dates back to the 12th century. The tower is therefore considerably older than the church. The Ermita de la Virgen del Campo preserves a Romanesque apse from the 13th century, while the building as a whole dates from the 16th century. Here too, the dates refer to different parts of the structure.

The Castillo de Enciso dates from the 10th century, is considered one of La Rioja’s oldest castles, and is attributed to Arab origins. The Puente de Santa Bárbara offers a different kind of architecture: the medieval stone bridge crosses the Río Cidacos with three arches. It also serves as an entrance to Parque de Santa Bárbara, a local recreation area. The bridge can therefore be appreciated both for its construction and for its connection to the park.

Walking Path and Tradition

The Paseo por el Monte Guilera is a short walking path along the slope of the hill that overlooks Enciso. Its defining feature is its route along the hillside; no walking time or difficulty level is specified. Anyone interested in a walk will find this a different way to experience Enciso than by visiting its buildings and paleontological sites.

A mass in honor of San Isidro Labrador is traditionally celebrated at the Ermita de la Virgen del Campo. It includes a procession in which the statue is carried from the Iglesia de Santa María de la Estrella to the hermitage; visitors also take part. The exact proceedings may vary. If you would like to include the celebration in your travel plans, ask about it in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ollauri, Zorraquín, Alfaro, Torremontalbo, Los Molinos de Ocón, Cuzcurrita De Río Tirón, Entrena, Calahorra.

See the overview of the wider region: La Rioja.