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Located on the edge of the Mountain Range of La Demanda, it forms part of the region of the Seven Villas in the autonomous community of La Rioja. The river Canales rises here and flows through the town from west to east, forming part of its streets, before reaching Villavelayo and joining with the Neila to give rise to the river Najerilla. Canales de la Sierra offers a wide variety of places to visit and activities to do.
The history of this mountain village dates back to Roman times, as can be seen in the remains of the settlement known as "Segeda Restituta Augusta", of which part of the wall can still be seen today, and where pottery remains from the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC have been found. Canales is already mentioned as such in the vow of Count Fernan González, in which in the year 927 he granted a charter to the town, being the first Riojan Foral Text. Alfonso X extended the privileges granted centuries earlier to the inhabitants of Canales de la Sierra by Alfonso VIII for their participation against the Moorish racias and other enemies of Castile. By donation of Enrique de Trastamara it became part of the Lordship of Cameros in the 14th century, and then belonged to the Counts of Aguilar until the disappearance of the lordships in the 19th century. It formed part of the province of Soria until the province of Logroño was created in 1833, to which it was attached.
Adobe, stone and wooden beams combine to form the beautiful mountain architecture of Canales de la Sierra, most of whose buildings bear the stamp of coats of arms and coats of arms, the legacy of a stately past. Among the places to see in Canales de la Sierra are its two churches, the church of San Cristóbal, declared a Monument in 1980, there are references to its origin in the 12th century and it has a Romanesque style with many points in common with the Asturian Romanesque of the time and the one we find on the Way of Saint James. And the parish church of Santa María, which dates from the 16th-17th centuries, although it is built on top of an older one, also of Romanesque origin. The hermitage of San Antonio, dating from the early 17th century, comes our way as we wander through the streets of the town, which has another very pleasant surprise prepared for us, the Town Hall building. Built in the 13th century as a church, its walls later housed a chapel and later what is considered to be the first theatre in La Rioja. Today, after its restoration at the end of the last century, it looks similar to the corralas of the 18th century. In this unique building we can see the Clock Tower in which a 16th century "flycatcher" shows us its face and with the blink of an mouth it chimes the chimes that mark the hours, just like the one in Burgos Cathedral. In this same tower and inside a niche is the Fire Bell, which was once responsible for warning of imminent danger.
The surroundings of Canales de la Sierra invite nature lovers to enjoy it. Hiking routes through spectacular beech forests such as the one that shelters the hermitage of La Soledad, oak groves such as the one that shelters the Solana oak, a specimen of sessile oak that is included in the Catalogue of Singular Trees of La Rioja, or the simple hiking route that takes us to the hermitage of San Juan.The most demanding mountaineers can also enjoy the beautiful landscapes that, from the peaks of Gatón or Dos Hermanas, with their more than 2000 m of altitude crown the Sierra de La Demanda in this area. Full nature where roe deer, wild boar and deer roam freely, closely watched by griffon vultures and the occasional pair of golden eagles.
Canales de la Sierra celebrates its patron saint festivities on 25 July in honour of Santiago and Santa Ana. At the end of August the town celebrates the festival of La Soledad, also known as La Esclavitud.
On the last weekend in August a pilgrimage is held to the hermitage of La Soledad. It commemorates the traditional pilgrimage that, dating back to the 16th century, was made by the so-called Slaves of the Virgin of La Soledad. These brotherhoods, wearing black cloaks, walked to the hermitage on foot at night, carrying large lighted candles, and there they waited for the rest of the townspeople who made the journey in the morning.
The hermitage of San Juan de Mata is located next to a site of curious crystallised macles known as spántagos. These little stones, which always split in the shape of a cross, are said to have miraculous and healing properties.
The girdle or sash was part of 19th century men's clothing and was used, as well as protecting and protecting the lower back, to carry and show off the handles of the pistol, dagger or knife that some bullies and provocateurs boasted of carrying. The legend or urban history tells that in Canales de la Sierra there was one of these bullies known as the Chichas whom all the young and not so young men feared. But one day, tired of the evil and perversity that characterised Chichas, all the young men confronted him and put an end to him. Don't ask who did it because, as in Fuenteovejuna, they will answer: "all as one".
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The LR113 road links Canales de la Sierra with Anguiano and Nájera on one side and with Salas de los Infantes on the other, as well as with Ortigosa de Cameros on the LR 232.
The intercity bus line between Logroño and Canales de la Sierra connects the towns of the Najerilla Valley with Nájera and Logroño on weekdays from Monday to Saturday. The information telephone number is 941 243 572.
SENDITUR is not responsible for any variation in the information described, as well as for the misuse of its guides and recommends that everyone be responsible and prudent in carrying out the activity. Likewise, we invite you to read books and specialised guides to complement the information described. From SENDITUR's commitment to Nature and respect for the balance of the environment, SENDITUR urges you to travel in a responsible way, with low environmental impact and respecting at all times the Natural, Cultural and Social environment wherever you go. For any suggestions, SENDITUR invites you to send an email to .
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Great encyclopedia of the evolution of man, natural treasure kept in time
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