Visiting the Town of Haro
Haro, a town in the north of Spain is home to the great bodegas or wine producers, it also has many interesting buildings from the past that are much visited by tourists from Spain and further afield.
La Batalla del Vino
The most popular festival, the Batalla del Vino or Battle of the Wine takes place each year on the 29th of June, Saint Peter’s Day. It begins with a mass after which two sides are formed and they begin to throw wine at each other. It is an interesting spectacle to see the participants all red from the variety of wine that is used. After the battle, the festival ends with a stroll around the main plaza. This is followed by the usual bull-fight.
The Basilica
Among the sites to visit is the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Vega, patron saint of Haro. This famous Basilica was finished in 1703 and is a good example of baroque architecture. Today, it is a landmark building and much visited by tourists. You can take a look at the many religious artifacts that are on display in the Basilica which date back to the many centuries of Christianity in Spain.
La Rioja Wine
Wine is the most famous product of Haro and the name La Rioja is synonymous with wine the world over. Haro is also well known for its agricultural produce because wine-growing regions are also suitable for agriculture. The potatoes and sugar beets produced in this region are also much in demand throughout Spain.
The Torreón Medieval Museum
A good museum that you would not want to miss is the branch of the La Rioja Museum in the Torreón Medieval. This old building from the fourteenth century has been renovated since it had fallen into a state of disrepair. It now houses the section of contemporary art of the Museo de La Rioja. Here you can take a look at the many examples of the works of both Spanish and foreign artists that are on display in the museum.
The Briñas Bridge
Another old monument that is interesting to visit is the Briñas Bridge over the Ebro River. It dates back to the late thirteenth century and is in the Gothic style. It has been much repaired since then and is now an interesting landmark between the town of Haro and the neighboring town of Briñas across the Ebro.