Cameros

Cameros is a mountainous region in La Rioja divided into two parts: Camero Viejo and Camero Nuevo. The landscape consists of rolling hills and valleys dotted with small villages featuring traditional stone architecture and rural character.

The territory came under feudal control in 1040 and later developed into a wool production center. This transformation was driven by the creation of the Mesta Council in 1273, an institution that organized sheep farming across the region.

The song "Ya se van los pastores a la Extremadura" echoes the shepherding heritage of this region and the seasonal movement of flocks across mountain paths. Local celebrations and customs today still reflect these pastoral traditions that shaped how people lived here for centuries.

The region is sparsely populated with several small municipalities spread across the mountain area, accessible by car or on foot. Visitors should prepare for rural roads and allow time to explore the scattered villages at a leisurely pace.

An interpretation center at Venta de Piqueras documents a way of life shaped by Merino sheep farming over seven centuries. The collections reveal how this livestock influenced not only the economy but also daily routines and the land itself in this mountain area.