Situated on a hill in the south of the province of Burgos and occupying a strategic position between the valleys of the Riaza and Duero rivers, this ancient town near Roa de Duero, Aranda de Duero and Peñafiel, has a fertile valley dotted with vineyards.

As one of the first fortresses during the repopulation stage of the Reconquest, Haza became a spearhead and was fortified as part of the process of raising new castles and towers that would form the so-called defensive line of the Duero. With the establishment of the “Comunidad de villa y Tierra de Haza”, a defensive system was set up consisting of a castle and a wall, which responded to a simple defensive approach, a crenellated wall without the presence of advanced defences. At the end of the 11th century, the castle was renovated with the extension and widening of the walls and the construction of advanced defences, oval towers and cadahalso. Later, the west, north and east sides of the town were enclosed, as was the tower identified in the northeast corner. This is a gate-tower that would have been the point of access to the interior of the town. At this time the defences of the fence consisted of quadrangular towers with arrow slits at the bottom, and it was at this point that the castle lost its original exclusive defensive function, its eastern side being dismantled for the construction of the new urban fence.

Haza preserves remains of this wall and the castle, which is about to be restored (it has been an “Asset of Cultural Interest” since 2010).

It also has a beautiful church (San Miguel) with medieval elements, and the hermitage of Santa Juana de Haza, in honour of the mother of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (founder of the Dominican Order).

These three examples of medieval architecture form a historic-artistic ensemble that makes this town in Burgos an obligatory stop on the Ribera de Duero Wine Route.

As you are already aware of Haza’s strategic position, dominated by the Pico de la Buitrera (altitude 910 metres), you can also enjoy the riverside nature by walking along the Riaza valley path and contemplating the rowan, a unique riverside tree, capable of withstanding the hostile climatic conditions of the Páramo de Corcos.

The patron saint fiestas of Haza are held in honour of Santo Domingo and Santa Juana on 3 and 4 August.

The name of the people of Haza is Haceños.