Podcast Summary: Cuerpos especiales – Santo Domingo de la Calzada (La Rioja)

Podcast: Cuerpos especiales (EuropaFM)
Hosts: Eva Soriano, Nacho García, Lalachús
Date: February 10, 2026
Episode Theme:
An engaging, humorous morning show segment highlighting and celebrating the unique features of Spanish towns, focusing this week on Santo Domingo de la Calzada in La Rioja, with local ambassador Marta. The episode explores the town’s charm, quirky traditions, local gastronomy, and Carnival festivities, all in the search for Spain’s "best village".

Main Discussion Points

Introduction: Voting for Spain’s Best Village

• The hosts announce that after presenting the week's villages, listeners can vote for their favorite on europafm.com, with the representative of the winning village receiving a special Cuerpos especiales kit.
  • [00:05]
• Marta, this episode’s guest and “rural ambassador”, joins to present Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
  • [00:16]

Discovering Santo Domingo de la Calzada

• Location Correction and Fun Banter
  • Brief confusion: Is it Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic? Clarified: it’s in La Rioja, Spain.
    • [00:29, 00:31]
    • “Por momentos como Santo domingo, República Dominicana, digo. Espérate un segundo, Marta, que tú estás viviendo tu mejor vida.” – Nacho García [00:31]

Key Attractions of the Town

• Catedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada
  • The town boasts a beautiful cathedral with a separate bell tower; the Camino de Santiago passes through the town.
    • “Tenemos una catedral preciosa con su torre exenta y por el medio pasa el Camino de Santiago.” – Marta [00:46]
• The Cathedral’s Famous Gallo y Gallina (Rooster and Hen)
  • A unique tradition: a living rooster and hen reside inside the cathedral, tied to a medieval miracle.
    • “¿Cómo que viven?” – Eva Soriano [01:21]
    • “Sí, sí, vivos. ¿Vivos viven allí? Sí, sí, sí.” – Marta [01:23]
  • The animals sometimes “sing” during mass.
    • “Pueden estar celebrando misa y de repente pues canta el gallo si quiere.” – Marta [01:32]

Gastronomy

• Signature Sweet: Los Ahorcaditos
  • The town’s renowned sweet is ‘ahorcaditos’, a puff pastry named after a miracle performed by Santo Domingo.
    • “Aquí el santo abuelito, Santo domingo de la Calzada, domingo García, hizo muchos milagros y entre uno de ellos, pues resucitó a un ahorcado. Entonces, en memoria de ello tenemos los ahorcaditos, que es un dulce de hojaldre súper rico.” – Marta [01:48]
  • Hosts express enthusiasm for La Rioja’s cuisine in general.
    • “En La Rioja no hay nada malo.” – Marta [01:48]

Local Festivities: Carnival

• Carnival Traditions
  • As elsewhere, everyone dresses up and celebrates in the streets; this year’s special guest is Leticia Sabater, who will perform at the town’s theatre.
    • “Este año tenemos una pequeña sorpresa que nos traen a Leticia Sabater al teatro.” – Marta [02:29]
    • Marta is excited: “Sí, señores, me flipa.” – Marta [02:51]
  • Playful confusion about the exact day Leticia Sabater will perform, leading to the suggestion: come both Friday and Saturday!
    • “Pues mucho mejor, venís el viernes y os quedáis también el sábado.” – Marta [03:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Why the Town Should Win:
  • “Aquí tenemos una catedral con un valle y una gallina, que ya os he dicho, y no es por decoración, claro, es en base a un milagro medieval que hace siglos y siglos después se sigue hablando de ello... Si queréis votar por Santo domingo de la Calzada, donde los milagros cantan y se come de lujo, pues.” – Marta [03:42]
• Hosts Praise Marta’s Pitch:
  • “Lo tenías cronometrado, Marta, o sea, lo has hecho perfecto.” – Nacho García [04:35]
  • “¡Viva La Rioja, Hombre!” – Eva Soriano [04:42]
• Fun Banter:
  • After learning the rooster sometimes crows in mass:
    • “Gallo está en la misa y repicando.” – Nacho García [01:39]
  • On the ambiguity of the event date:
    • “Tú eres especialista en la liosidad.” – Nacho García [03:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:16-00:31 – Marta introduced, clarifies the town’s name and location
• 00:46 – Highlight of the cathedral and Camino de Santiago
• 01:21-01:39 – Unique tradition: living rooster and hen in the cathedral
• 01:48-02:12 – Explanation about ‘ahorcaditos’ (local sweet)
• 02:29-03:13 – Carnival preparations and Leticia Sabater’s visit
• 03:42-04:35 – Marta’s one-minute pitch for Santo Domingo de la Calzada
• 04:46-04:49 – Farewells and thanks

Episode Tone and Language

The episode maintains a lively, informal, and affectionate tone throughout. The hosts joke with the guest, share genuine admiration for local traditions, and inject playful humor into the conversation. Marta responds enthusiastically and passionately about her town, making the segment both informative and entertaining for listeners.

Conclusion

This episode of “Cuerpos especiales” shines a spotlight on Santo Domingo de la Calzada, emphasizing its hospitality, singular traditions (the cathedral’s living rooster and hen), culinary highlights, and vibrant community life. Marta’s engaging and heartfelt pitch invites listeners to consider her town as Spain’s best—where, as she says, “los milagros cantan y se come de lujo.”