Aranda de Duero

This large town in the province of Burgos first became prosperous during the reign of Henry IV of Castile, in the late 15th century.

Its outstanding architectural features include the 15th-16th century church of Santa María in the Isabelline Gothic style, with a south façade reminiscent of a huge altarpiece, including relief sculptures of the Adoration of the Magi; the church of San Juan Bautista, seat of the Council of Aranda (1473), with a beautiful entrance formed by nine stunning archivolts; the 15th-century Verdugo palace; the 17th-century shrine of the Virgen de las Viñas, on the outskirts of town; the Romanesque bridge; the Casa de las Bolas museum; and many grand houses.Aranda de Duero is also the main destination of the Ribera de Duero wine route. Its wines are excellent and its underground wine cellars are among the town’s main attractions. Dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries, there are approximately 7 kilometres of these cellars underneath the town. To find out more about the underground wine cellars and their wines, you can visit the Interpretation Centre for Wine Architecture (CIAVIN), the Bodega de las Ánimas museum, or the Ribiértete wine museum.