Tabuérniga

Tabuérniga is a medieval settlement, now abandoned, located within the district of Salinillas de Buradón, in the municipality of Labastida, in Rioja Alavesa. Today the site is known mainly to archaeologists and hikers — a single stone tower is all that remains of what was once an inhabited place.

Where does the name come from?

Over the centuries the settlement appeared under several variants of the same name — Cabuerneca, Cabuerniga, Cavorneca and Taguerniga — before the modern form Tabuérniga became fixed. The earliest written references to the place date back to the year 934, making it one of the older documented settlements in this part of Álava. Exactly when it became depopulated is not recorded; the process likely stretched over centuries as residents gradually moved to larger, better-organized towns.

What did the area look like a thousand years ago?

Before Labastida existed as an organized town, the land it now occupies was home to several small, scattered villages. Alongside Tabuérniga, historical sources mention Buradón, Torrontejo, Remelluri and Mutilluri. Stone necropolises found across the region provide further evidence of a fairly substantial population already living here around the year 1000. Over time, settlement consolidated around a single fortified town — present-day Labastida — while smaller villages like Tabuérniga gradually lost their population and importance.

What survives of the old settlement?

Of the original settlement, only one structure has survived to the present day: a two-story tower, decorated on its rear wall with a carefully worked ornamental finish. Its style points to construction in the 16th or 17th century, well after the original early medieval settlement had already been abandoned — the tower was raised on the site of the earlier village, taking advantage of its strategic position. That position was no accident: Tabuérniga sits on raised ground at the crossing point of two old routes, allowing whoever held it to control movement through the area and keep watch over a wide stretch of terrain.

How do you get to Tabuérniga?

Today Tabuérniga is reached mainly via hiking trails linking the villages of Rioja Alavesa. It forms one stop on a walking route that runs from Berganzo through Portillo del Aire and Tabuérniga to San Ginés and on to Labastida — a route popular with walkers looking to combine local history with views over the surrounding hills and vineyards. It suits travelers who prefer quiet, lightly visited spots away from the region's main tourist circuits.

Why is it worth a visit?

Labastida and the wider Rioja Alavesa region are best known for a winemaking tradition stretching back over a thousand years, with medieval stone wine presses still preserved in the area as evidence of that heritage. Tabuérniga fits into this landscape as a witness to the earliest phase of settlement here, predating Labastida itself. It's a stop for travelers who want to see Rioja Alavesa through more than just its vineyards — through the deeper, early medieval history of how the region came to be settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything to actually see at Tabuérniga? One structure remains on site: a stone, two-story tower dating from the 16th–17th century, standing on the site of the former medieval settlement.

When was Tabuérniga first recorded? The earliest written mentions of the settlement date to the year 934, though the exact point at which it was abandoned is unknown.

How do you reach Tabuérniga? It lies on a walking route connecting Berganzo, Portillo del Aire, Tabuérniga, San Ginés and Labastida — the most practical way to visit is on foot, as part of a longer hike through the area.

How is Tabuérniga different from Labastida's other attractions? Unlike the town of Labastida itself, known for its historic architecture and wine industry, Tabuérniga is an abandoned archaeological site that predates the town, valuable for understanding how the region was originally settled.