What to see in Tudela

answer the question what to see in Tudela It represents an important synthesis effort. We are talking about one of the towns with the most history of what is already historic. Foral Community of Navarra. In fact, to give you an idea of ​​its importance, we will tell you that it has the recognition of city since 1390, when it was granted Charles III the Noble.

But its origins go back much further. It was already inhabited in the Iron Age and was also a Roman settlement. Later, the Arabs refounded it under the name of Al-Tutili and, after the Christian reconquest, it became a place of residence, along with Pamplona, of the Navarrese monarchs. As a result of all this, it is the impressive monumental heritage that the city offers you. And, therefore, below, we are going to show you what to see in Tudela.

The cathedral of Santa Maria

Like most of the monumental buildings in the town, you will find this temple in its old town, delimited by the Queiles and Ebro rivers, as well as on the slope of the Santa Barbara Hill. Don't forget to walk through it and admire its noble houses.

But, returning to the cathedral, it is the most important religious building in Tudela and even one of the most relevant in all of Navarra. In fact, it is National Monument since 1884. It was built at the end of the XNUMXth century following the Romanesque canons, although Gothic elements were later added. In its origin it was the Collegiate Church of Santa María, becoming a cathedral already in 1783.

Externally, it has a Latin cross plan and three naves that are finished with a transept with five sections and a headboard with an apse. It has three doors: that of the Virgin, of Saint Mary and of the Judgment. This last one is the most important. For its part, the call New Tower it is from the seventeenth century.

As for the interior, its impressive main altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Is due to Pedro Díaz of Oviedo, who created it at the end of the 15th century in accordance with the Spanish-Flemish Gothic style. On the other hand, the chorus is Renaissance and elaborated by Stephen of ObrayWhile chapel of Santa Ana (patron saint of Tudela), with its spectacular polychrome plasterwork, is baroque. Finally, you should look at the size of the White virgin, from the 12th century, and in the Gothic altarpieces of Santa Catalina and the Virgin of Hope.

Other temples to see in Tudela

The religious heritage of the Navarrese city encompasses much more than its beautiful cathedral. The church of Santa Maria Magdalena It is also Romanesque and stands out for the magnificent Pantocrator (Christ in His Majesty) on its tympanum. Those of Saint George and TeachingOn the other hand, they are baroque. In fact, the latter is considered the only essentially baroque one in all of Navarra and stands out for its spectacular dome with a lantern.

For its part, the church and convent of Carmen and Conciliar Seminary of Santa Ana They are Mannerist of the 16th century, like the church and convent of the Dominicans. Finally, other temples to see in Tudela are the late Gothic one of the school of San Francisco Javier, that of the Capuchinas, that of the Company of Mary or that of Santa María de Gracia, as well as the hermitages of Santa Cruz, Santa Quiteria or the Virgin of the Head.

But separate mention among the religious constructions we must make you of the Dean's Palace, since it houses the Decanal Museum. Furthermore, it is a beautiful construction from the end of the 15th century that combines Gothic, Mudejar and Plateresque styles and even has Italianate elements. You will find it next to the cathedral. On the other hand, near the remains of the old castle of Tudela, Is the monument to the Heart of Jesus, a figure twelve meters high due to the transalpine sculptor Charles Buzzi.

Finally it is important the humiliator, which is located to the right of the Ebro bridge, at the entrance to the city. It is a small temple from the 16th century that houses a cross before which the traveler had to humiliate himself, hence its name. Due to its location, it is also known as Bridge Crucifix.

Plaza de los Fueros

We now turn to the civil monuments What to see in Tudela. The nerve center of the town is the Fueros square which you will find, precisely, between the old town and the newer part of the town. It was built at the end of the 17th century according to baroque standards. Its most notable building belongs to the same period and style: the Clock House, although the tower that houses the latter is a hundred years more modern.

Furthermore, in its last restoration, a castle was placed on the second floor for the Descent of the Angel. With this name the representation of the advertisement is known María of the resurrection of Christ which is celebrated every Easter Sunday and which has been declared National Tourist Interest. It is also the scene square of the Volatin, which takes place one day before the previous event. This name is given to an articulated doll that represents Judas and that is blown up with a firecracker. Likewise, you can see in the square the majestic hospital building, today the residence of Our Lady of Grace.

The Old Square and the Town Hall

As its name indicates, this square was the axis of life in Tudela until the construction of the Nueva. In it, highlights the Town hall, a building from the late 15th century restored several times. However, the bay, the hallway, the Plenary Hall and the cellar are vestiges of the primitive construction. The latter was used as a public prison for several centuries

Also in the 19th century, a splendid neo-renaissance decoration. The ranch was also known as Chamber of Secret and it is also adorned with beautiful paintings that represent scenes from the history of the town. The ornamentation is completed by a sculptural group that represents Santa Ana, as we told you, patron saint of the town.

Palaces to see in Tudela

Another characteristic of the Navarrese city is the large number of stately homes and palaces that line its streets. Among the first, stands out the Admiral's House, which we will talk to you about later. But also that of the Ibáñez de Luna, authentic plateresque wonder. Instead, the Royal House of Mercy It is neoclassical.

For its part, the House of Veraiz hosts the Muñoz Sola Museum, dedicated to this painter from the second half of the 19th century. Refering to House of Arizcun It is neoclassical from the 18th century and that of Labastida It is a hundred years older.

But even more spectacular are the palaces of Tudela. That of the Marquis of Huarte It is attached to the old wall and was built in 1742 taking advantage of the grouping of three medieval houses. The fresco paintings on its façade stand out, presenting classical themes. But, above all, the patio complex, with a staircase that has been described as "the most beautiful imperial staircase in Navarra". Currently, it is the Public Library and includes a small archeology museum. Therefore, it is visitable.

El palace of the Marquis of San Adrián It dates back to the beginning of the 16th century and is one of the most successful examples of Renaissance civil architecture in Navarra. It consists of two floors and an attic gallery. In its austere façade, however, a magnificent carved wooden eaves due to the already mentioned Stephen of Obray. It also has a beautiful square staircase covered by a beautiful coffered ceiling with rosettes. Today it is one of the headquarters of the National University of Distance Education.

Other civil monuments of the city

Likewise, in the old town of the city you will find another of the buildings to see in Tudela. This is the already mentioned Admiral's House, one of the best examples of Renaissance civil architecture in the entire Navarrese community. It was built in the 16th century and stands out for its beautiful plateresque decoration restored a few years ago.

Older is the Monreal Tower, since it dates back to the 13th century. You will see it in a watchtower to the southwest of the town and it has a hexagonal plan. It currently houses an interpretation center about the three cultures that coexisted in the city in the Middle Ages: Christian, Jewish and Arab.

Moreover, the Castel Ruiz building It is the old Jesuit convent. It was built in the 17th century following the canons of Mannerism and was a unit with the aforementioned church of San Jorge. Originally it was the headquarters of the first Tudelana Grammar School and today it is destined for other cultural activities.

The spectacular has a very different character stone bridge with seventeen arches over the Ebro River. It measures almost four hundred meters and is attributed to the monarch Sancho VII the Strong, who reigned in the 12th century. However, it has undergone several modifications over time.

In conclusion, we have shown you some of the best monuments what to see in Tudela. But this beautiful city of Navarre Community It has many other attractions. Among them, its nature, with the proximity of the Bardenas Reales desert, which is a natural park. And also its gastronomy, in which they stand out its delicious vegetables. Come and get to know this town and enjoy everything it offers you.