Ruins of Hospital of San Juan de Acre, Navarrete

The Ruins of the Hospital of San Juan de Acre mark one of the oldest surviving traces of the Camino de Santiago in Navarrete, a small town in La Rioja that has welcomed pilgrims along the Camino Francés for centuries.

What is the Hospital of San Juan de Acre?

The hospital was established in 1185 by the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem, later known as the Knights of Malta. The order ran a hostel here for pilgrims walking toward the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela, offering them a bed, care, and support after crossing the exposed plateau of La Rioja. In the medieval period, the area around Navarrete sat close to the shifting frontier between Christian and Muslim territories, and the hospital is remembered as one of the last Christian strongholds in the region during the Reconquista. For several centuries the complex served as an important logistical stop along the route before falling into disuse.

The building's fate was sealed in the 19th century, when it was largely destroyed and left in a state of near-total ruin. One element survived, however: a Romanesque portal that once formed the entrance to the hospital's church. This carved stone façade was relocated and reused as the main gateway into the Navarrete municipal cemetery, where it still stands today. That portal remains the most recognisable physical trace of the original foundation.

It was only in 1990 that the site underwent systematic archaeological investigation. Excavations uncovered the foundations and wall remains of the old hospital complex, giving researchers a clearer picture of its original layout and scale. The findings confirmed that the site once held an extensive group of buildings rather than a single modest lodging house.

How do you get to the ruins in Navarrete?

Navarrete sits directly on the Camino Francés, roughly 10-12 kilometres from Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, on the way toward Nájera and Santo Domingo de la Calzada. The town is easily reached by car or regional bus from Logroño along the local road network. The ruins and the surviving portal stand next to the town cemetery, on the edge of Navarrete's historic centre, making them a natural stop during a walk through town. Pilgrims following the Camino on foot pass the site as a matter of course while crossing Navarrete.

What is there to see on site?

The main highlight is the Romanesque portal of the former hospital church — a carved stone gateway with the layered archivolts typical of the style, now serving as the entrance to the cemetery. It rewards a closer look, since sculptural details have survived despite the centuries and the building's change of purpose. Alongside the portal lie the wall remains uncovered during the 1990s excavations, evidence of how extensive the original hospital complex once was. The combination of Camino de Santiago history and the quiet setting of the adjoining cemetery gives the site a distinctly reflective character.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit, when La Rioja's climate is mild and pilgrim traffic along the Camino Francés is at its highest — visitors can feel the route's genuine atmosphere at these times. Summers in the region can turn very hot, making longer walks through town less comfortable. Winter brings quieter, less crowded conditions, which suits travellers who prefer a calmer visit without the crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the Hospital of San Juan de Acre? It was founded in 1185 by the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem, later known as the Knights of Malta, to serve pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela.

What survives from the original building? Mainly the Romanesque portal, relocated and installed as the entrance gate to Navarrete's cemetery, along with wall remains uncovered during the 1990 excavations.

Is there an entrance fee to visit the ruins? The site functions as an open historic landmark next to the town cemetery, visited without ticketed access, much like other outdoor heritage sites along the Camino Francés in Navarrete.

Why does this site matter to the Camino de Santiago? For centuries the hospital gave shelter and care to pilgrims walking toward the tomb of St James, and its position on the former frontier between Christian and Muslim territory makes it a meaningful record of La Rioja's history during the Reconquista.