Santo Domingo de la Calzada

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada rises above the city with its 69-meter tower, combining Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements throughout its structure.

Saint Domingo established this settlement in the 11th century by constructing a bridge over the Oja River and creating facilities for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela.

The cathedral maintains a tradition of keeping live chickens inside a Gothic henhouse to commemorate the legend of an unjustly executed pilgrim and miraculous resurrection.

Travelers can access Santo Domingo de la Calzada by car from Bilbao Airport in approximately one hour or stay at the Parador hotel located in a former hospital.

The cathedral contains the only permanent indoor henhouse within a religious building in Spain, housing white roosters and hens that are replaced every two weeks.

Location: La Rioja

Capital city: Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Elevation above the sea: 641 m

Part of: Way of Saint James in La Rioja

Shares border with: Santurde de Rioja, Corporales, Grañón, Villalobar de Rioja, Bañares, Cirueña, Manzanares de Rioja, Santurdejo

Website: http://santodomingodelacalzada.org

GPS coordinates: 42.44194,-2.95250

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:32