Najera 15.25 miles
So today’s walk from Logroño to Najera was described as a long walk on asphalt. It had some small hills, very minor compared to other days. It did not seem like a lot of asphalt to me. We feel like we deserved to taxi out if the industrial section of Logroño and we got dropped off at a beautiful park, Parque de la Grajera, to catch the Camino trail
We have walked so much above and beyond the trail getting to our hotels, so I was so happy about shaving off three miles that I had an extra glass of Rioja to celebrate.
I would describe today as acres and acres of Rioja vineyards, small beautiful towns with beautiful churches, Iglesia Santa María de la Asunción in Naverette was particularly amazing. I can see why the Vikings loved the Catholic Churches. It was supposed to rain but instead it was sunny and the cold winds picked up when we reached Naverette.
When we finally reached our apartment in Najera, many people were out and about for the May Day holiday.
We are in the old section of town We may or may not make it out for the May Day festivals. It is very cold outside
I am copying and pasting this Najera history from the Google because it is so fascinating especially because our apartment is on the red rocks on Calle San Miguel. Just beautiful.
Situated 27 kilometres from Logroño, Nájera is one of the towns on the Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago de Compostela, thanks to King Sancho III, who in the 11th century modified the route so that it became a staging post for passing pilgrims.
The town is divided by the river Najerilla and an exceptionally important monument stands on its banks: the monastery of Santa María La Real. Built in 1032, it underwent a number of modifications in the 15th century. Its fortress-like external appearance constrasts with the ornamental beauty of the cloister of the Caballeros (knights), so-called because of the great many nobles buried here. The church houses a magnificent piece of carving in the choir, a brilliant high reredos with a Romanesque image of Santa María La Real, the Royal Pantheon, bearing the tombs of some thirty monarchs; the mausoleum of the Dukes of Nájera and, in the crypt, the cave where according to legend the Virigin appeared before King Don García, who ordered the construction of the site. Facing the monastery is the Nájera History and Archaeological Museum, with sections on prehistory, the Romans, the medieval period, ethnography and painting, as well as material from the Nájera region. Also of interest is the Santa Cruz parish church and its lantern resting on pendentives, situated in Plaza de San Miguel.
We are looking forward to a shorter day tomorrow to Santo Domingo de la Cruz.
