Hermitage of Santa Bárbara, Ezcaray

Hermitage of Santa Bárbara sits above Ezcaray, a small town in La Rioja, perched on top of Santa Bárbara mountain at 1,022 meters. It's the kind of spot that rewards a short climb with a view stretching over the whole Oja valley — a favorite for anyone passing through this part of northern Spain.

What will you find there?

The chapel itself is modest: a rectangular, single-nave building under a two-pitched roof, built from stone and the reddish masonry typical of the area. Inside stands its most valuable piece — a reliquary bust of Santa Bárbara dating from the late 16th century.

The site's history runs deeper than the current chapel. Before this building existed, a medieval watchtower stood here; once the population resettled down in the valley during the 12th century, the tower fell out of use. It was later converted into a hermitage dedicated to Santa Bárbara — a fitting choice, since the saint's traditional iconography is tied to a tower and the legend surrounding it.

In 2022 the hermitage underwent roof restoration: the asbestos-cement covering installed in the 1960s, badly worn by then, was replaced with a new wood-and-tile roof.

How do you get there?

You can reach the hermitage either by road or on foot via the trail known as the "zigzag," which starts from the Soleta or San Lázaro neighborhoods and covers roughly 1.2 kilometers. It's a short route but a steep one, climbing straight up the mountainside.

What else should you know before visiting?

Right by the chapel there's a picnic area with tables and shade trees, a good spot to rest after the climb. About 500 meters further on, a second rest area with barbecue grills offers a place for a longer stop.

The view from the summit takes in the entire Oja valley and surrounding hills, which makes this a popular target both for visitors after a short hike with a rewarding panorama and for locals from Ezcaray out for a Sunday walk.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to reach the hermitage? The "zigzag" trail is about 1.2 km and can usually be walked in under an hour, depending on pace and fitness. Driving up the access road is the alternative.

Is there anything to see inside the chapel? Yes — the main feature is a reliquary bust of Santa Bárbara from the late 16th century, kept in the single nave.

Are there places to rest or picnic nearby? Yes, there's a picnic area with tables right next to the hermitage, and a second area with barbecue grills about 500 meters away.

Where does the site's history come from? A medieval watchtower originally stood here and was abandoned once settlers moved down into the valley. It was later turned into a chapel dedicated to Santa Bárbara because of the symbolic link between her iconography and towers.