Azofra (La Rioja) (0)

Did you know that... Azofra

36 km from Logroño and 8 km from Nájera, it is located in the fertile valley of the river Tuerto, better known by the name of Valle de Cañas, on the old medieval road between Nájera and Santo Domingo de La Calzada, so it has been and is an unavoidable place of passage for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Azofra seems to have Arab origins, etymologically, its name seems to derive from the Arabic word as-suxra, which means "the tribute" or "to work for the lord". Already in the eleventh century Azofra is mentioned in documents referring to royal heritages.

A little more history

In 1168 was founded a hospital for pilgrims, a church and a cemetery for pilgrims who died on the Camino, the hospital has existed until the nineteenth century. Pedro I of Castile, set up his camp in Azofra to go out and fight against his brother Enrique de Trastámara. King Pedro won the battle and ceded the town to Ortiz de Zúñiga, for his support in the battle. From then until the 19th century, Azofra belonged to this family, Counts of Hervías and Montalvo.

To discover What to see in Azofra?

The parish church of Our Lady de Los Ángeles dates back to the 16th century. It is at the top of the village, between the two streets of the Camino, and contains a carving of Santiago Apóstol, but not on his horse but on a pilgrim. Both in the Calle Mayor, also known as Real, and in the Calle del Sol, there are several blazoned mansions, witnesses of its past and bearers of its living present. Its adobe houses are also curious. At the exit of Azofra we find a monumental Rollo from the 16th century, constructions that warned possible crooks of the introduction of the law and that were located at crossroads.

Festivities

On 22nd July Santa María Magdalena, patron saint of the village, is celebrated, and on 16th August the festivity is that of its patron saint, San Roque. On the last Saturday in August there is a pilgrimage to the Monastery of Valvanera.

Curiosities

Azofra has two hostels, the municipal and the parish. In the latter, in a corner of its facade is placed a stone from the Cathedral of Cologne (Germany). It also has all the services.

The Legend

History or legend? That of the cleric, who was burned alive in Azofra by order of Peter I the Cruel, when he appeared before him, before the battle, to tell him that he was going to die at the hands of his brother Henry, and that he warned him because that was what Saint Dominic of La Calzada had commanded him to do. It is still in the memory of the elders of the village the memory of the answer that every year was sung by the soul of the clergyman ordered to burn alive by King Peter I."