Parador de Calahorra Marco Fabio Quintiliano

Spain - La Rioja - Calahorra

Modern three star hotel in the central park of the town in the Rioja wine region

This new hotel lies at the end of a lateral garden running the length of the main street of the town.

Calahorra is one of the towns on the plains of the Ebro river that flows from west to east through the plain to the south of the Pyrenees mountain chain that forms the border between Spain and France.

It is within the old kingdom of Navarra which is now linked to its neighbour of Aragon to the east.

Historically however the two kingdoms were very different, Aragon looked towards Catalonia and Levante for its alliances. Navarra, on the other hand, looked towards the west to the Basque region and France. From 1234 it was part of France until annexed by Spain in 1512.

The people are fiercely independent and are still willing to fight for their right which has been a tradition for centuries.

The plain of the Ebro river are very fertile with a large proportion of the land used for growing the grapes that will become the famous Rioja red wine.

The regional dishes prepared in the restaurant feature strongly those that use the wine in the preparation. Worth trying are:

"Menestra de verduras", a vegetable stew with a wine base.
"Ponchas" which are pinto beans
"Chuletillas con pimientos", pork chops with peppers.
"Peras o melocoton al vino" which is pears or peaches in wine

The orange colour of the exterior bricks of this Parador is reflected in the colour schemes used within the building. The interior furniture reflects the traditional role of the parador group in preserving historic buildings by using them as hotels.

At Easter, time should be found to watch the religious procession on Holy Thursday. In early July the adventurous can visit the world-famous Feasts of San Fermin, in Pamplona. I have been assured, first hand, that provided you drink enough wine before hand, you do not feel the damage caused by the bull and when you wake up you are surrounded by pretty nurses - though they were almost angels!

Calahorra used to be known by its Roman name of Calagurris and the most famous building is the Cathedral which has wide portals and large windows. The other places to visit are all religious being the churches of Santiago and San Andres, the Convent of the Carmelitas and the Bishop's Palace.

This Parador has fifty two twin bedded rooms, one double, two suites and five single rooms all having a private bathroom. Some rooms are specially equipped for the disabled

Each room has a telephone, television, cable television and a mini bar.

The building has heating and air conditioning. There is a bar and a restaurant. There are facilities to hold meetings. Conference and disabled facilities if required.

Animals are not allowed.

Directions

The Parador is is near the town hall at the end of a tree lined street. Exit the N-232 at the sign for Calahorra Follow the signs to the town centre Then follow the Parador sign along the boulevard