Chabola de la Hechicera dolmen

Rioja Alavesa has one of the greatest concentrations of dolmens in Álava: the provincial council counts nine, collective tombs built between 6,000 and 3,000 years ago and used from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. The most visited is the Chabola de la Hechicera, in Elvillar, about 6 km from Laguardia, with its chamber of great slabs in the middle of the countryside.

It is outdoors and can be seen at any time. Near Laguardia there are also the one at Alto de la Huesera, where the remains of about 130 people were found and which was built about 5,500 years ago, and the one at El Sotillo. The provincial council has a leaflet and an audio guide for the Hechicera on its website.

What the dolmen is like

It was discovered in 1935 and Turismo Euskadi considers it one of the most important dolmens in the Basque Country, probably the largest and best preserved in its area. It is a passage dolmen: a burial chamber made of nine slabs forming a polygon, and an entrance passage of five more slabs plus the closing ones. The stones are sandstone from the surroundings. The great cover slab had been broken into three pieces; in the restoration it was put back in the position believed to be the original, so today you see the tomb with its roof.

The excavations turned up human remains and numerous objects: axes, pottery fragments and rings. Turismo Euskadi places it in the Chalcolithic, although the use of these collective tombs spans several millennia.

The name and the legend

Chabola de la Hechicera means "the witch's hut". In Elvillar, on the eve of the August festivities of the Virgin, an akelarre (witches' sabbath) is staged beside the dolmen, with witches and a billy goat. If you go on those days, you will see the tomb in an atmosphere very different from the rest of the year.

Getting there and visiting

The dolmen is beside the Laguardia to Elvillar road, the A-3228, in the municipality of Elvillar. You get there in a few minutes by car from Laguardia. It is in the countryside, with no fence, no opening hours and no entrance fee, so it can be seen at any time. Allow half an hour.

It is a good stop with children: it is short, outdoors, and the witch story helps. Respect the monument and do not climb on the slabs. For more information, Elvillar town council can be reached on 945 604 011.

What to combine

Do a short dolmen route: the Chabola de la Hechicera, Alto de la Huesera and El Sotillo are all near Laguardia. Then go back to the town for the walk round the walled old town or a walk round the lagoons. If you are with children, the Villa-Lucía wine museum is on the way out of Laguardia on the Logroño road.