El Club · Laguardia

The Laguardia Lagoon Complex is a protected natural area located in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa, near the walled town of Laguardia (Álava). Physically, it consists of four wetlands: three naturally occurring temporary hypersaline lagoons (Carravalseca, Carralogroño, and Musco) and a small artificial reservoir created on a former floodplain (Prao de la Paúl). These lagoons are the northernmost hypersaline bodies of water in Europe, with a total area of 42.4 ha and a buffer zone of 160.2 ha. The surrounding landscape consists of vineyards and gentle hills, dominated to the north by the Sierra de Toloño and to the south by the Sierra de Cantabria. From the observation point, especially at Prao de la Paúl, visitors can observe an environment of great ecological value where the unique flora and fauna have adapted to the hypersaline conditions. The complex is extraordinarily interesting both geologically and biologically, hosting a great diversity of animal life, especially waterfowl. Between September and March, a greater number of birds can be observed, although their shy nature requires silence and the use of binoculars or a telescope. The complex was designated a Protected Biotope by the Basque Government in 1995 and was subsequently incorporated into the Natura 2000 Network as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is also listed on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, which reinforces its value as a unique site. In 2023, its designation changed from Protected Biotope to Nature Reserve. There is a bird observatory with a capacity for 18–20 people; keys can be requested at the Laguardia tourist office. The best time to visit is between September and March, when bird activity is at its peak. During the summer, the lagoons may dry up partially, which also offers an interesting geological perspective on the endorheic behavior of these temporary lagoons.

The Church of St. John the Baptist in Laguardia is a parish church located in the southern part of the historic center of this town in Rioja Alavesa, in Álava, Basque Country. It is one of Laguardia’s most significant heritage sites and is a typical example of a medieval church that was also integrated into the town’s defensive layout. Construction took place between the 12th and 14th centuries, with Romanesque origins and a predominantly Gothic style, although it features later additions and renovations. This blend of construction phases accounts for its architectural significance, as it preserves transitional elements between the Romanesque and Gothic periods, as well as defensive features typical of a walled town. Notable documented features include the Romanesque south portico, the Gothic tower, and the Latin cross plan with three naves and three apses. Also noted are pieces and reliefs of great artistic value, as well as remarkable Romanesque-style sculptural decoration on the exterior, considered one of the most unique examples in Álava’s cultural heritage. The church is recognized as a Site of Cultural Interest / Historic-Artistic Monument of national significance, confirming its historical and heritage importance within Laguardia. Its exact location, south of the historic district, reinforces its role as a key element of the town’s monumental complex.

The Church of Santa María de los Reyes is the parish church of Laguardia, in Álava, located at the northern end of the historic district, between Mayor, Páganos, and Santa Engracia streets. Official tourist literature identifies it as a Catholic church of great heritage significance, rather than a chapel. Construction began in the late 12th century in the Romanesque style, but the work was not completed until the 15th century; as a result, the building features a combination of Gothic and Renaissance elements, with some later Baroque-era renovations. The church retains a rectangular floor plan with three naves, a transept, and an apse, and was modified in the 16th century with the reconstruction of the chancel and the addition of a Renaissance sacristy. The most striking feature of the complex is its polychrome portico, built of stone in the late 14th century and painted in the 17th century. This Gothic portal, protected by the later enclosure of the atrium, is one of Laguardia’s best-known artistic treasures due to its rich figurative and floral decoration. Also noteworthy is the main altarpiece, the work of Juan de Bascardó, created in the 17th century in a style reflecting the late Renaissance and the transition to the Baroque. The building encapsulates the artistic evolution from the medieval to the Renaissance period in one of the town’s most important religious monuments.

The Abacial Tower is a defensive tower and part of Laguardia’s city walls, located across from the entrance to the Church of Santa María, on the Plazuela de Santa María in the historic district of Laguardia (Álava). It forms part of the town’s medieval walled complex and is one of the most representative heritage sites within the historic district. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, with the initial construction attributed to the 12th century and, according to some tourism and heritage sources, subsequent phases between the 13th and 14th centuries. It is described as a structure in the Romanesque tradition, with possible Gothic additions or alterations, which explains the mix of styles evident in some features. The tower has a square floor plan and is built of rough and dressed stone. It has several stories, with the lower levels more enclosed and the upper levels more open due to the presence of openings; inside, a room covered by a ribbed vault and a spiral staircase leading up to the upper terrace stand out. It served a defensive purpose on the town’s western flank, although it has also been linked to a former ecclesiastical or monastic use due to the presence of the image of Saint Benedict and the tradition that connects it to a possible fortified monastery. The Historic District of Laguardia has been designated a Qualified Cultural Asset in the category of Monumental Complex, which places this structure within the town’s protected heritage.