ROMANESQUE AND GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE
Examples of the Romanesque
heritage include the Monastery of Leyre, the portal of the Church of Santa
Maria la Real at Sanguesa, the octogonally-shaped Church of Nuestra Senora
de Eunate, the Church of Santiago at Puente la Reina, and the Churches
of San Miguel, San Pedro de la Rua and San Juan, and The Palace of the
Dukes of Granada at Estella. All these towns grew up around the Road to
Santiago de Compostela. Some of the finest examples of the Gothic heritage
include the Monasteries of Fitero, La Oliva, Iranzu and Irache, the Collegiate
Church at Roncesvalles, the various monuments at Olite, the cloister of
Pamplona Cathedral and the Comptos Chambers.
OLITE CASTLE
The Castle-cum-Royal Palace
of Olite, built between the 13th and 15th c. and restored in 1940, never
fails to impress the traveller because of its magnificent appearance. Parts
of the construction has been suitably prepared to house a Parador. The
Gothic Church of Santa Maria, standing next to the castle, is also worth
visiting.
THE PILGRIMS ROAD TO SANTIAGO
DE COMPOSTELA
Due to its geographical
location, Navarre was an almost obligatory stopping place for Christian
pilgrims who, during the Middle Ages, were travelling to Santiago de Compostela
to visit the apostle's tomb. Puente la Reina was the meeting point of the
two main roads which ran from the Pyrenean passes of lbaneta and Somport.
The cultural interest shown in the Road to Santiago de Compostela, which
today is undergoing an evergrowing revival, is more than justified here
in Navarre since its rich artistic heritage is a direct consequence of
that event which was at its height between the 11th and 12th c.
SANGUESA AND JAVIER
Sanguesa, located in eastern
Navarre, has a layout and design typical of those towns lying on the Road
to Santiago de Compostela. Amongst the architectural treasures, special
mention should be made of the portal of the Church of Santa Maria, the
most important work on 8th c. romanesque architecture. Javier Castle is
8 km. from Sanguesa, and it was here that, on April 7th, 1506, San Francisco
Javier, the patron saint of Navarre and of the universal missionary church,
was born.
THE RONCAL AND SALAZAR
VALLEYS
These two Pyrenean valleys
are among the most beautiful and picturesque in Navarre. In the Roncal
Valley, mountaineering is very popular, and the ascent can be made of peaks
such as the <<Mesa de los Tres Reyes>> (2,438 m,), long-distance
skiing is another popular sport in the Belagua Valley. Ochagavia in the
Salazar Valley is one of the most typical locations in the mountains. The
Forest of Irati, Orhi peak (2,018 m.) and Remendia are other locations
that are of great interest to nature lovers.
THE VALLEY OF BAZTAN
This is the most important
of the western valleys where the climate is very mild. Its pastoral scenery
is a direct result of the large, solid stone houses, pastures scattered
with farmsteads and rolling hills covered with beech, oak and chestnut
trees that are found here. The botanical garden in the Bertiz Estate contains
some 120 different species of trees. The Zugarramurdi caves are also famous
for tradition has it that it was here the witches held their covens.
TUDELA
Tudela is the second city
in Navarre and is at the centre of a prosperous agricultural region. For
several centuries it was under the control of the Moors, and these have
left their mark in the city's winding streets. The Cathedral was built
between the 12th and 13th c. and, among its many interesting artistic details,
the most important are the Proto-Gothic entrance known as the Puerta del
Juicio, and the 18th-century Chapel of Santa Ana with magnificent Baroque
decoration. A visit to Tudela would be incomplete without visiting its
juif quarter and without trying its famous vegetable soup, made from the
most delicious vegetables of the province.
ESTELLA
Like Puente la Reina, Estella
was an important city on the Road to Santiago de Compostela. Some of its
finest monuments include the Church of San Pedro de la Rua and the Royal
Palace or the Dukes de Granada's Palace. The latter is the only example
of a civil Romanesque construction in Navarre, and on one of its capitals
the legendary battle between Roldan of France and the giant Ferragut is
depicted. Near Estella can be found the artistic Monasteries of Irache
and Iranzu. |
