Page 133 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

BASQUE C OUNTR Y , NA V ARR A & LA RIOJA  131

E Museo de Armería Environs
Paseo Fray Francisco 3. Tel 945 18 On the A2622 Pobes–Tuesta
19 25. Open Tue–Sun. 8 phone 945 road are the Salinas de Añana, a
18 19 18 for guided tours. 7 group of saltpans fed by mineral
The weapons here range from springs. The nearby village of
prehistoric axes to 20th-century Tuesta boasts a Romanesque
pistols. Medieval armour and an church. Inside are capitals
exhibit on the 1813 battle of carved with historical scenes,
Vitoria are also on display. and a medieval wood sculpture
of St Sebastián.
E Museo de Arte Sacro
Catedral Nueva de María Inmaculada,
Calle Monseñor Cadena y Eleta s/n. 0 Laguardia
Tel 945 15 06 31. Open 10am–2pm,
4–6:30pm Tue–Fri, 10am–2pm Sat, Álava. * 1,500. n Calle Mayor 52,
11am–2pm Sun & public hols. 945 60 08 45. ( Tue. _ San Juan
8 call ahead. 7 and San Pedro (23–29 Jun).
The design of this museum is This little wine town is the
The Gothic west door of Vitoria’s Catedral considerate to the surrounding capital of La Rioja Alavesa, a
de Santa María cathedral. Exhibits of religious part of southern Álava prov ince
art are displayed in sections where Rioja wines (see pp82–3)
E Museo de Arqueología y related to their medium. have been produced for
Naipes (BIBAT) centuries. It is a fertile, vine-
Palacio de Bendaña, C/ Cuchillería 54. clad plain, sheltered by high
Tel 945 20 37 00. Open Tue–Sun. 7 9 Torre Palacio de hills to the north. There are
Vitoria’s archaeology museum is los Varona fine panor amic views from
set in a stunning purpose-built Villanañe, Álava. Tel 945 35 30 40. the road that climbs up to the
edifice and features 1,500 pieces, Open 11am–2pm, 4–7pm Tue–Sat, Herrera pass. Laguardia is a
including prehistory artifacts 11am–2pm Sun (winter: Sat & Sun medieval hill town, its encircling
and Roman sculptures found at only). & 8 ramparts, towers and fortified
Álava. Visitors can experience gateways vis ible from afar.
multimedia projections and The small town of Villanañe Along its steep, narrow
sound effects. hosts a beauti ful example of cobbled streets there are
The grandson of Heraclio medieval civil architecture, the many bodegas (wine cellars),
Fournier, who founded a play- best-preserved 14th-century offering wine tastings and
ing cards factory in Vitoria in fortified military building in tours throughout the year. It is
1868, also displays his collection the region – now a museum usually necessary to make a
of more than 6,000 items in this displaying original furniture. booking in advance. The Gothic
museum. The oldest exhibits are The upper rooms are decor ated Iglesia de Santa María de los
late 14th-century Italian cards. with colourful 17th-century Reyes has an austere façade
Among the many sets of tarot wallpaper, while some of the and a richly embellished inner
cards are some designed by floors are made with traditional portal that has retained its
Salvador Dalí in the 1980s. Manisse porcelain tiles. original colouring.

Vineyards near Laguardia, capital of La Rioja Alavesa, a wine-producing region since the Middle Ages

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