Most beautiful towns in Navarra

Select the most beautiful towns in Navarra It is very difficult because, throughout this autonomous community, there are numerous localities that deserve such distinction and we cannot refer to all of them.

Not for nothing, Navarre It is pure history and, as a consequence, rich in monuments. Thus, it is easy to find towns that preserve their medieval charm and are surrounded by wonderful nature such as, for example, the one that forms the Irati Forest or Baztan Valley. Despite all this, below, we are going to present you our proposal of the most beautiful towns in Navarra.

ochagavia

We start in the north of the Foral Community to talk to you, precisely, about this medieval town located in the Pyrenean valley of Salazar. Be sure to stroll through its narrow, cobblestone streets, or appreciate its traditional mansions built with stone.

Precisely, about twenty-four kilometers from it you have the aforementioned Irati Forest, one of the largest reserves of beech and fir trees in Europe. Likewise, nearby you can take magnificent hiking routes through the Abodi Mountain. But, if its natural environment is beautiful, the monuments of Ochagavia are no less so.

Several palaces stand out in its urban area. For example, those of Urrutia, Iriarte and Donamaría, as well as the aforementioned medieval mansions. To the same period belongs his stone bridge on the Anduña River.

As for its religious buildings, you should visit the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, which combines medieval forms with other Renaissance ones. Of this last style are the three altarpieces that you can see inside, created by the image maker Miguel de Espinal, although its choir and some canvases are also impressive. Likewise, we advise you to see the hermitage of Our Lady of Muskilda, which is Romanesque from the XNUMXth century. Surrounded by a wall, it also includes the hermit's house.

Olite, living history of Navarra

Olite is another of the most beautiful towns in Navarra and will transport you, even more than the previous one, to the Middle Ages. To do this, just walk through its old town or look at its impressive castle, which dominates the town and is one of the most impressive in Spain. In reality, there are two fortifications. The call Old Palace, from the XNUMXth century, is currently a national parador, while the New Palace, from the XNUMXth century, can be visited.

But Olite has many other monuments. Among the religious, the church of Santa María la Real, a majestic example of Navarrese Gothic. Its entrance will catch your attention, which is preceded by a unique free-standing atrium. Likewise, you will be surprised by its large rose window and its magnificent Renaissance altarpiece. Furthermore, some of the most solemn ceremonies of the court of Navarra were held there.

As for its old town, be sure to visit the Carlos III square, where you will see some curious medieval galleries. You should also know the remains of their ancient walls, one of whose portals is the Spire tower, which is still preserved. Finally, several medieval palaces such as the one that serves as headquarters to the Town Hall and religious buildings such as Romanesque church of San Pedro or convent of San Francisco They complete the monumental complex of Olite.

Estella, “the Toledo of Navarra”

If Olite is historic and monumental, Estella can be considered equally or more so. Not in vain, it was founded in 1090 and, since medieval times, it has held the category of city. Furthermore, it was the court of the suitor Charles VII during the Third Carlist War. Regarding its monuments, according to the words of Julio Caro Baroja, was "the capital of the Navarrese Romanesque". In fact, due to its artistic value, it has been named «the Toledo of Navarra or the north».

To that style belongs the church of Santa María Jus del Castillo, as well as, in part, the most prominent temples of the city, which combine it with Gothic. It is the case of the churches of San Pedro de la Rúa, San Miguel Arcángel and the Holy Sepulcher, with its spectacular flared portico. Instead, that of Saint John the Baptist It was built in the middle of the Renaissance, convento of Santa Clara it is baroque and the basilica of Our Lady of Puy, patron saint of the town, is from the XNUMXth century.

On the other hand, you can still visit in Estella the remains of the three fortresses that the city had. But more important is the Palace of the Kings of Navarra, which is the only civil Romanesque building preserved in the entire autonomous community. It was built in the middle of the 1931th century and, since XNUMX, it has been National Monument. It is distributed over three floors and a tower. The last one is blind, while the middle one has small windows and the lower one is made up of a gallery with four arches. Currently, it is the headquarters of Gustavo de Maeztu Museum, a painter from Alava who lived a good part of his life in the town.

You will find it in the Saint Martin's Square, where there is also the courthouse, a baroque building from the early XNUMXth century that was the Town Hall. For its part, the current Town Hall is in an eclectic building from the XNUMXth century that was built on the remains of the old convent of San Francisco. Finally, on Rúa Street is the governor's palace, with its classic shapes, which is A Cultural and on a hillside next to the Camino de Santiago you can see the remains of the Jewish quarter.

Puente la Reina

Located in the Merindad of PamplonaPuente la Reina is also among the most beautiful towns in Navarra due to its history and monuments. The first begins very soon, since in its municipal area there are several archaeological sites and in Mendigorría you can see the remains of the ancient Roman city of Andelos.

Likewise, the town owes its name to the beautiful romanesque bridge on the Arga river through which the Camino de Santiago passes. It was built by order of a Navarrese queen in the XNUMXth century and has seven large arches. It is the symbol of the town, but it has many other monuments. Thus, you can see the remains of its old wall and towers that give access to its Main Street. In this you have several palatial houses with its medieval, Renaissance and Baroque facades.

Precisely, the Julián Mena Square It is also the Mayor and in it you have the beautiful building of the Town Hall with its long porticoed gallery. For its part, the House of Link, recently restored, is the headquarters of the tourist office. As for the religious constructions of Puente la Reina, you have to visit the churches of the Crucifix and Santiago, both Romanesque, although the latter has a beautiful baroque altarpiece. For its part, the St. Peter's Church It is Renaissance and hermitage of San Martín de Gomacin, pre-Romanesque. The religious heritage is completed by the convents of the Trinitarios and the Comendadoras del Sancti Spiritus, both from the XNUMXth century, although later restored.

Roncesvalles, the battle of Charlemagne

We return to the north of Navarra to talk to you about this beautiful town that has been inextricably linked to the battle that takes its name and that, according to legend, fought Charlemagne with the Basques (or, if we have to pay attention to the Song of Roldán, with Muslims). Shortly after, Roncesvalles would become the beginning of the so-called French Camino de Santiago.

But what will surprise you most in this beautiful town is the number of monuments it offers despite its small size. Among its religious buildings, the Sancti Spiritus chapel, precisely, also known as Charlemagne's Silo. This is because it could have been built to bury the Franks who fell in the aforementioned battle.

The Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María, considered the best example of French Gothic in Navarra and where the king is buried Sancho VII the Strong. To this same style belong the Church of Santiago and chapel of Saint Augustine, Whereas the Charity Hospital It is neoclassical from the XNUMXth century, although in its place there was another Romanesque that has disappeared. Finally, be sure to visit the town Museum-Treasure, which houses unique pieces of Navarrese heritage such as the Roncesvalles Gospel Book or Charlemagne's Chess.

Roncal, birthplace of Julián Gayarre

We finish our trip through the most beautiful towns in Navarra in Roncal, where the famous XNUMXth century tenor was born. Julian Gayarre. Precisely, his house-museum It is one of the places you should visit in the town. But Roncal is much more than that. In fact, its history is very old, as proven by the Lubrakieta dolmen, which you will see in the Belabarce valley.

Regarding the religious monuments of the Navarrese town, the most important is the St. Stephen's Church, which responds to Gothic and Renaissance canons, although its altarpieces are baroque and churrigueresque. You should also see the hermitages of San Sebastián, San Juan and Nuestra Señora del Castillo, which houses a Romanesque carving of the Virgin and Child.

But Roncal also offers you several civil monuments. Above all, these are stately mansions built in the XNUMXth century following the features of the Baroque style. Some of them are the López, Sanz Orrio and Gambra houses.

In conclusion, we have shown you some of the most beautiful towns in Navarra. But, inevitably, we have left others in the pipeline that are equally spectacular. For example, Artajona, with its medieval layout and its Romanesque church of San Saturnino; Elizondo, in the middle of the Baztán valley, or Yesa, with its spectacular monastery of San Salvador de Leire. Come and discover these beautiful villas in the Foral Community.