San Millán de la Cogolla
San Millán de la Cogolla (Spanish pronunciation: [sam miˈʎan de la koˈɣoʎa]) is a sparsely populated municipality in La Rioja (Spain). The village is famous for its twin monasteries, Yuso and Suso (Monasterio de San Millán de Yuso and Monasterio de San Millán de Suso), which were declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. There were 293 inhabitants registered in 2009, the population having fallen significantly during the twentieth century.
Sections the premium town hall can edit · Fixed sections of the guide
Origins
En una bula de 1199 por la que se concedían privilegios al monasterio de San Millán de la Cogolla aparece nombrado como Coculla, que procede de cuculla, cerrillo, cima de monte. Es típico de lugares altos y con carácter defensivo, debiendo corresponder a la época de la Reconquista.
History
In a papal bull from 1199 where Privileges were granted to the monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla it appears with the name Coculla, which comes from the Latin word cuculla, small hill, hilltop; this word is typically used for high sites and those of defensive nature, coming from the times of the Reconquista.
The other part of the name is taken from a 6th-century saint (Saint Emilianus or San Millán) who lived here.
In medieval times the monastery had a large estate documented in its cartulary, the Becerro Galicano. It also benefited from being on one of the variants of the Camino de Santiago.
A number of abbots of San Millán de la Cogolla held different episcopal titles between 1025 and 1065
The monastery and the surrounding area suffered in the civil war between Peter of Castile and Henry II of Castile. The war involved a major confrontation nearby, the Battle of Nájera (April 1367). Peter was supported by Edward the Black Prince, who acquired the so-called Black Prince's Ruby (it is not clear how) before returning to England. Peter was killed in 1369 by Henry, who then ascended the throne.
Those affected included the small Jewish community (aljama) of San Millán. In 1369 Henry made an order in their favour, "the Christian men and women and the Moorish men and women" should immediately discharge all their debts to the Jews, "that the last-named might be able to pay their taxes the more promptly." On September 10, 1371, however, the king released the abbot and all the monks of San Millán from whatever debts they had contracted with the Jews since the Battle of Nájera.
Monuments
•Mojon MUP-58
•San Millán de Suso
What to visit
•Monasterio de Suso
•Monasterio San Millán de Yuso
Gallery
Festivals
El domingo de Pentecostés se va en romería al Monasterio de Valvanera, patrona de La Rioja, también en la sierra de la Demanda. La romería se hace a pie a través del monte, pasando por las cumbres que limitan la cuenca de los ríos Najerilla y Cárdenas.
El tercer sábado de junio los hombres de San Millán se acercan a la cueva del Santo en romería. Esta costumbre data de 1604, para solicitar la ayuda de San Millán con una enfermedad que padecían las mujeres del valle.
El 16 de julio en Lugar del Río se celebran las fiestas de la Patrona la Virgen del Carmen.
El día 26 de septiembre se celebra La Traslación, fiesta que conmemora el traslado de los restos de San Millán. Según la leyenda, debido a un milagro del Santo, el rey Sancho III ordenó la construcción del Monasterio de Yuso.
El 12 de noviembre se celebra la festividad de San Millán, y el 17 de noviembre, la de Santa Gertrudis, patrones del pueblo.
September 2026
Festivals this month
- 26 · September Traslación 📆 Add to my calendar
Rest of the year
- June: El tercer sábado
- July: Fiestas locales (16)
- November: Fiestas locales (12) · San Millán y Santa Gertrudis (12)
What's on
Street market
Find the day and place of the local street market:
Gastronomy
There's no information in this section yet. The village's profile can complete it from the panel.
Trails and hiking
•Camiño Francés (Rutas alternativas) (140 km)
•Sierras Riojanas (GR 93)
Services
Hotel
Hostería San Millán
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Holiday cottage
La Posada de San Millán
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Hotel
Fábrica de Harinas “La Gloria”
📍 Carretera de Estollo 3 📞 +34941373048
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Restaurant
San Millán
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Restaurant
Restaurante el Mirador
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Restaurant
Mesón Las Glosas
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Restaurant
In Vino Veritas
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Campsite
Camping Berceo
Is it yours? Go premium: full profile, more visibility and up to 6 photos. View membership
Do you have a business in San Millán de la Cogolla? Advertise it for free and go premium whenever you like. List my business for free
Famous people
•María de la O Lejárraga, política y escritora española
•Rodrigo Echevarría y Briones, escritor y obispo español
Town hall
Alcaldía: Maria del Pilar Mendoza Martinez
Town hall of San Millán de la Cogolla
Alcaldía: Maria del Pilar Mendoza Martinez
Here goes your town hall's profile or your website address. Are you from the town hall? Go premium to complete your profile and edit your village's content. hola@ciudadesypueblos.es
How to get there
- 🚗 47 km from Logroño (about 33 min by car)
- 🚗 75 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz (about 53 min by car)
🧭 Travelling around the villages of Spain: a practical guide — Opening hours, transport, money and customs, before you set off.
- ✈️ 58 km from Logroño-Agoncillo airport (about 41 min by car)
- ✈️ 78 km from Vitoria airport (about 55 min by car)
Practical info
🅿️ Where to park
- Where to park · 0.5 km away
- Where to park · 0.6 km away
🏧 Nearest cash machine
- Caixabank · 8.3 km away
⛽ Nearest petrol station
- Avia · 4.5 km away
- Repsol · 8.3 km away
🔭 Viewpoints
- Viewpoints · 0.6 km away
- Viewpoints · 0.8 km away
Buses
Check the route, times and public transport connections to San Millán de la Cogolla:
Pharmacy and health
Find the nearest pharmacy and health centre, with the address and how to get there:
Wall and news
Log in with your profile to post. Posting on the walls is free.
This wall is still quiet.
Obituaries
There are no obituaries published right now in San Millán de la Cogolla.
In loving memory
There are no memorials in San Millán de la Cogolla yet.
Videos
Discover San Millán de la Cogolla on video: