The most spectacular castles in Navarra

The most spectacular castles in Navarra They are the result of the rich medieval history of that autonomous community. In fact, most of them were built when it was an independent kingdom of the Castilla's crown.

Such is the heritage in terms of this type of buildings that the provincial region has that a route has been created that includes nineteen castles belonging to different styles and periods. Some are found in the same Pyrenees, while others are located in the basin of Pamplona, in the region of The Ribera or bordering Aragon. But all of them are spectacular. Next, we are going to propose our own tour of the most spectacular castles in Navarra.

Javier Castle

This fortress is located in the town that gives it its name, belonging to the merindad of Sangüesa. Its construction began in the XNUMXth century, although it was completed many years later and it belonged to several feudal lords. But its most famous inhabitant was Saint francis javier, who was born in it. In fact, every year, at the beginning of March, a massive pilgrimage takes place in his honor to the castle.

This has three staggered bodies that show their order of seniority. Overall, the towers of Santo Cristo and San Miguel. The latter is the one of homage, while the first has a chapel. At the same time, there are several mural paintings that reproduce the dance of Death and which are unique in Spain and a crucifix from the late Gothic period.

Two polygonal bodies, two towers on the flanks and a basilica added in the XNUMXth century complete this impressive fortification. The temple was designed by the architect Angel Goicoechea and responds to the neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic styles, although it also presents Byzantine influences.

Olite, a symbol among the most spectacular castles in Navarra

This spectacular fortress is, perhaps, the most important in all of Navarra. If we tell you that it is also known for Royal Palace of the Kings of Navarra, you will understand why. Since the reign of Charles III the Noble (that is, between 1387 and 1425), who also expanded it, it was one of the seats of the court and the scene of many events.

As a result of all this, it is one of the best samples of the civilian gothic in Navarra, although it also has Mudejar elements. Furthermore, it is in magnificent condition thanks to the restoration carried out in the mid-XNUMXth century. It is made up of several rooms, gardens and numerous towers surrounded by high walls with battlements. Among them, of course, that of the tribute or of the Vit (due to its spiral staircase), but also those of the Joyosa Guarda, the Three Great Finestras or the Three Crowns.

However, as a whole they basically distinguish the so-called Old Palace or Teobaldos Palace, current tourist stop, and the Queen's. In both you can also see rooms such as Arcos or Mudéjar, patios such as Morera and chapels such as San Jorge. Finally, we will tell you that the castle is National Monument 1925 since.

Castle of Cortes

Located in the town of the same name, it is another of the most spectacular castles in Navarra. It was built in the XNUMXth century and is listed as Asset of Cultural Tourist Interest. It was a defensive fortification, given its proximity to the border with Aragon, but it was also used as a palace by some kings.

Due to this, it was expanded and given a more stately appearance. Furthermore, already in the XNUMXth century, it underwent extensive restoration that gave it its current neo-Gothic style. With more than four thousand square meters of construction, it consists of a large walled rectangle, parade ground, housing and a prismatic and crenellated tower.

A good part of what was his orchard is today a municipal park. And inside you can see an interesting oil painting collection with works ranging from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century. Among them, a portrait of Don Alonso of Aragon work of Roland de Mois.

Fortress Church of Santa María de Ujué

We continue our tour of the most spectacular castles in Navarra in this fortress church that was part of a large castle. From this, remains of the keep and the parade ground can still be seen. But the temple, built in the XNUMXth century, is in itself a fortification, with its crenellated towers, buttresses and walkways.

Regarding its origin, it is wrapped in a nice legend. He says that a shepherd, while tending his cattle, saw a dove coming in and out of a hole in a rock. Intrigued by his attitude, he approached the opening and saw a beautiful Romanesque carving of the Virgin. So, the residents of the area built a church to shelter him. Hence the name Ujué, since a dove is called uxue in Basque.

The temple combines the Gothic style of its nave and portals with the Romanesque style of its headboard. Especially beautiful is the south door, considered, precisely, a masterpiece of Navarrese Gothic. It is pointed and flared with ten archivolts. The church, which has undergone several restorations, is also National Monument.

Fortified palace of the Kings of Navarra

We return to the merindad of Sangüesa to stop in this beautiful town and get to know the palace of the Prince of Viana or of the Kings of Navarra. It was built in the XNUMXth century, taking advantage of the town's towers and walls, but in the XNUMXth century, it underwent extensive renovations.

Built in ashlar in accordance with the canons of the Gothic, after the conquest of Navarra it was used to house the troops. After many years of deterioration, it has been restored and belongs to the Provincial Government of Navarra, which has dedicated it to a municipal library. But what remains of it is a large two-story body, two prismatic crenellated towers with defensive arrow slits and a moat.

siege of artajona

Under such a singular name, a series of constructions are grouped together that make up the most important medieval defensive fortification in all of Navarra. You will find it in the town that gives it its name and was built in the XNUMXth century, although it has gone through several restorations. To give you an idea of ​​its dimensions, it once had fourteen towers, of which nine are preserved.

All this in a walled area with two doors and declared Historic Artistic Monument. These are those of Remagua y San Miguel. There was a third, the Aizaldea gate, which was in the southeastern part and which was eliminated. As for the interior of the fortress, there was a cylindrical tower called King's castle which has also been lost.

But the most important thing of the whole is the church-fortress of San Saturnino, which is later, since it was built in the XNUMXth century (the prismatic tower is from the XNUMXth century), and which responds mainly to the Gothic style. declared A Cultural, has a peculiarity: its inverted roof, only one in the world. Given the lack of rain in the area, it was built this way to collect the water that later went down to an underground cistern. If you make an appointment, you will be able to see the church inside and observe its curious ceiling, as well as its magnificent Hispano-Flamenco altarpiece.

Marcilla Palace, a great little gem among the most spectacular castles in Navarra

We now move to the small town of Marcilla to tell you about its beautiful castle palace. It is a Gothic fortress built in the XNUMXth century and restored just a few years ago. Currently, it is the headquarters of Town Hall, so you can access its interior.

It was built with a square plan on a wide ashlar pedestal that formed a slope and raised it above the moats. In the four angles there are prismatic towers which are complemented by other smaller ones in the center of the walls. To give it an even greater appearance of a legendary castle, its entrance from the south is via a drawbridge and two pointed arches.

Pamplona Citadel

It is the most modern among the most spectacular castles in Navarra. In fact, it was built between the 1571th and XNUMXth centuries after the order issued in XNUMX by Felipe II to fortify Pamplona and is also known as New Castle. It responds to the Renaissance canons for this type of buildings and is declared Historic Artistic Monument.

The layout of the Citadel reproduces a starry pentagon and is very well preserved because, paradoxically, it has not suffered major war episodes. In 1964 it lost its military character and became a garden space where you can take a pleasant walk. Likewise, it had good number of bastions, some of which have been removed to facilitate the expansion of the city. This is the case of those of San Anton and the victory.

In conclusion, we have shown you the most spectacular castles in Navarra. But there are many others. Not in vain, the ancient kingdom came to have more than a hundred defensive bastions. Among them, we also advise you to see the remains of the castles of Amaiur and Monjardín, those of Major Castle and Palace of the Kings of Navarra en Estella Hello Gorgeous Palatian Tower of Olcoz. Come and see these unique buildings of Navarre and enjoy its history and beauty.