Navarrete: The Camino de Santiago, Old Town and Ceramics

Navarrete brings together the Camino de Santiago, historic architecture, ceramics and winemaking traditions. The Camino de Santiago first crosses the town centre along Calle Mayor Baja, then continues along Calle Mayor Alta. This gives you different options when planning your trip: explore the old town and its buildings, learn about crafts and wine tourism, or discover walking routes in the surrounding area.

Old Town and Historic Buildings

The old town retains the layout of a walled settlement. In its historic centre, traditional architecture combines ashlar stone with brickwork. Calle Mayor, divided into Mayor Baja and Mayor Alta, is particularly illustrative. Along it are 17th- and 18th-century buildings with ashlar stone doorways, wrought-iron work, coats of arms and Jacobean symbols. Together, the street layout and the architectural details shape the historic townscape.

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a three-nave ashlar stone church. Construction began in 1533, and the tower was built in the 17th century. Its features include a notable Baroque high altarpiece from the late 17th century and a sacristy museum. The cemetery portal also tells a story of the area’s earlier architecture: it dates from the late Romanesque period and was moved from the former Hospital of San Juan de Acre to its present location in 1887. The restored hospital ruins can be visited in the La Serna area. They are protected and form part of the Camino de Santiago.

The Camino de Santiago and Pilgrim History

The Camino de Santiago reaches Navarrete either via the old road from Fuenmayor or via the old road from Navarrete, which coincides with the route from Entrena. The Camino Ignaciano is linked to a different pilgrimage story: it follows the route Ignatius of Loyola travelled in 1522 from Loyola-Azpeitia to Manresa. The route is 650 kilometres long and comprises 27 stages. Navarrete is associated with two periods in Saint Ignatius’s life—before and after his conversion.

These different routes connect local and religious history, but they do not follow the same route or share the same historical background. Those interested in the Camino de Santiago will find tangible points of interest along its route through the town centre’s two main streets and at the hospital ruins. The Camino Ignaciano, by contrast, focuses on the traditional account of the 1522 journey and its 27 stages.

Ceramics, Wine and Visitor Experiences

Wine and pottery are considered Navarrete’s two signature local products. Traditional production has survived to this day in a modernised form. At Alfarería Antonio Naharro Flores, visitors can watch ceramics being made by hand on a potter’s wheel and see the entire production process; a collection of old pieces is also on display. It is advisable to check access arrangements in advance.

Alfarería El Torero runs pottery workshops for children and older visitors. Visits can be arranged free of charge by prior agreement. Wineries are also part of Navarrete’s wine tourism; please check in advance about arranging individual visits. Bodegas FyA also offers a ceramic museum that is open to visitors. It contains around 1,000 pieces dating from the 16th to the 20th century. As visitor experiences and arrangements may change, check the latest information before planning a visit.

Since 2009, N.A.CE has been held every July as a pottery and ceramics fair, with numerous accompanying activities. Dates and programmes vary from one edition to the next. If you would like to plan your trip around the fair, check the dates for the relevant year.

Walking Routes and Landscape

The Dehesa de Navarrete, also known as La Verde, covers around 404 hectares within the municipality. It lies on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Moncalvillo in the Ebro Depression. Access is via the Camino de la Dehesa or the Pasada de la Ironda. From Cerro de la Dehesa, at 781 metres, views stretch towards San Lorenzo and the Serradero, as well as north to the Sierra de Cantabria, Codés and Toloño. Rabbits, hares, foxes and wild boar are found in the area.

The circular route through the Dehesa de Navarrete, also known as La Verde, is 6.4 kilometres long, with an estimated walking time of two hours. The paths and junctions are easy to identify, and the surface is smooth but uneven in places. Vineyards shape the landscape around the Pantano de Valbornedo, an area suitable for walking or fishing. Vegetation includes oaks, holm oaks and planted pine trees. The circular route there is 8 kilometres long, also with an estimated walking time of two hours. The paths and junctions are easy to identify, and the surface is smooth. This gives you a choice of two circular routes with the same estimated walking time but different lengths and surface descriptions.

Getting Around and Getting There

The Navarrete Town Council Tourist Office provides information about wine tourism, pottery, the Camino de Santiago, accommodation and routes. As opening arrangements may change, check in advance if you need details about visiting. From Logroño, take the LO-20 towards Vitoria until it joins the A-12 towards Burgos. The AP-68 also has an exit within the municipality. Check current road conditions before setting off.

Discover more destinations: San Asensio, Lardero, Cuzcurrita De Río Tirón, Grañón, Alfaro, San Román De Cameros, Tirgo, Aldeanueva de Cameros

For the broader travel overview: La Rioja.