What to see in Azofra?
The name Azofra
One explanation of the name makes it Arabic: it would come from «as-suxra», «the tribute» or labour service, referring to the work vassals had to do on the lord’s land. It would be a memory of the Muslim presence in the valley.
The chronicler Fray Gregorio de Argáiz proposed another, Hebrew origin: «Zophar», which he translated as «beautiful». Whatever its root, the name already appears in documents from 1040.
Azofra and the Camino de Santiago
Azofra has always lived with the Camino Frances passing through. In 1168 Doña Isabel founded a hospital here, with a church of Saint Peter and its own cemetery for pilgrims who died on their way to the Cathedral of Santiago in Santiago de Compostela. It operated until the 19th century, although nothing of the building survives today.
Traditions and festivities
The Vera Cruz brotherhood
Founded between the mid-17th and mid-18th centuries, it is the only Holy Week brotherhood in Azofra. Some twenty-five members organise the Holy Burial procession every Good Friday, accompanied by their own drum band.
Patron saint festivities
The main festivities are held in honour of Saint Roch, the town’s patron and the pilgrim saint par excellence, with religious and popular events that bring the whole village together.
What Azofra lives from
It is a farming village: potatoes, sugar beet, vines and vegetables. The nearness of Nájera allows many residents to supplement their income with work outside farming.
La Rioja Botanical Garden
Opened in 2005, it covers some 20,000 square metres with trees and plants from different parts of the world. It is an unusual, peaceful visit for anyone with a free afternoon.
Where it is
Azofra lies in the valley of the Tuerto river, about eight kilometres from Nájera, with good road access from Logroño. For pilgrims it is a convenient stop, halfway between Nájera and Santo Domingo de la Calzada.