Everything you need to know about Navarre. Navarre (autonomous community)
The history of the medieval kingdom of Navarre is inextricably linked with France, Castile and Aragon.
Despite the influence of numerous invaders of these territories, the indigenous people have retained their language, culture and traditions of the region.
In the VIII century, the kingdom of Navarre became an independent state, thanks to the heroic actions of the Basque leader Iñigo Arista, who laid the foundation for the dynasty of the rulers of Navarre. X-XI centuries are considered the peak of the development of the kingdom of Navarre.
This was facilitated by friendly relations with France, which played a fatal role in the history of the kingdom of Navarre.
The dynastic marriage between the French king Philip IV and Princess Joanna of Navarre in 1284 ended the independence of the kingdom of Navarre, which became part of France as a dowry.
In 1328 the dynasty of French kings, the Capetians, ended, and Philip of Valois ascended the throne. In order to eliminate all claims of Joanna II to the crown of France, she was granted the kingdom of Navarre, which regained its independence.
In 1512, the first annexation of the kingdom of Navarre to Spain took place. But only back in 1839, the inhabitants of the region called Isabella II their queen and retained the right to autonomy, laws and currency. In the history of the Spanish Civil War, the inhabitants of Navarre were on the side of the announcer Franco.
Spain. Navarre. Our days
/encyclopedia/mentalitet-prazdnik-tradicii/nacionalnye-prazdniki/">Spanish holiday San Fermin.
From July 6 to 14, thousands of tourists come to the capital of Navarre - Pamplona, who want to take part in the national action - the race with the bulls. This tradition gained worldwide fame thanks to the talent of Ernest Hemingway, who colorfully and figuratively described this event in his work “The Sun Also Rises”.
Navarra in Spain is one of the European leaders in the field of energy supply. The share of this region is the production of 60% of the consumed energy of the whole country. Several hundred photovoltaic power plants of various capacities are located here. The industry is represented by transnational corporations in the automotive and machine tool industries.
The farms of Navarra in Spain produce the famous Spanish cheeses - idiasabel and roncal, wineries are famous for varieties of red, rosé and white wines made according to old Navarrese recipes. Agricultural production is based on the cultivation of fodder grain, rapeseed and sunflower.
The great wealth of Navarra is considered to be huge forest plantations that are part of the unique natural areas of Spain. Even in the old days they were popular with the French kings in connection with the successful hunting here.
Street names in the cities of Navarra in Spain have a Spanish name and meaning in the Basque dialect - euscaro. This ancient national language was included in the list of endangered dialects by UNESCO in 2009.
The state of Navarre arose in the Basque territories in the Pyrenees. The first counts, whose names are not preserved, were probably elected. At the beginning of the 9th century, Count Iñigo Arista established the hereditary rule of his dynasty. Around 860, his son García Iñiguez took over royal title. Until the beginning of the 11th century, Navarre was the most powerful of the Christian states of Spain.
Inigo dynasty, c. 820-905
Iñigo Arista 820/35-852/7(7)
Blanca (1425-1441)
Blanca was married to Juan, brother of King Alfonso V of Aragon. According to an agreement between them, their son Carlos de Vian inherited the throne of Navarre, but he was to receive the royal title only after the death of his father. Blanca died in 1441, and soon strife began between father and son, especially aggravated after Juan's remarriage. In 1459, Juan became King of Aragon (Juan II), and in 1461 Carlos de Vian died. Soon his sister Blanca also died in prison, to whom, according to the wills of her mother and brother, the throne of Navarre was to pass. As a result, after Juan, the throne of Navarre was briefly occupied by his daughter from his second marriage, Eleanor (Leonor).
Aragonese dynasty, 1425-1479
Juan I (II of Aragon) 1425-1479
Carlos de Vian(pretender) (1425-1461)
Blanca(applicant) 1461
Eleanor (Leonor) 1479
Eleanor was married to Count Gaston de Foix. The son of this marriage, Francisco, became the next king of Navarre.
Dynasty de Foix, 1479-1512
Francisco I 1479-1483
Catalina (Catherine) 1483-1512
In 1494, Catalina married Jean d'Albret, as a result, the ruling dynasty changed again in Navarre.
In 1512, King Fernando II of Aragon conquered the southern (Spanish) part of Navarre for Castile. Further, the Navarrese kings ruled only in the Northern (French) part of the state.
Dynasty d "Albret, 1494-1572
Jean III 1494-1522
Henry II 1522-1555
Jeanne III (1555-1572)
Queen Jeanne III married Antoine, Duke of Bourbon. Thus, the last kings of Navarre were from the Bourbon dynasty.
Bourbon dynasty, 1555-1589
Antoine 1555-1562
Henry III 1562-1589
In 1589, King Henry III of Navarre became King of France under the name Henry IV. In 1593 Navarre was joined to France.
Used materials of the book: Sychev N.V. Book of dynasties. M., 2008. p. 299-302.
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Pyrenean states, after the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by Muslims and before the formation of a unified Spanish state, this term refers to the kingdoms of Asturias, León, León and Castile, Spain.
Cards:
Pyrenean states in the IX - X centuries.
Pyrenean states in the XI - XIII centuries.
The province has the rights of an autonomous region of Spain. Navarre borders France in the north, the Basque Country in the west, La Rioja in the south, and Aragon in the east and southeast. Most of the territory of Navarre is occupied by the southern spurs of the Western Pyrenees. Her highest point- the peak of Ani with a height of 2504 m. Going down to the south, the mountains covered with broad-leaved forests pass into a treeless plateau 400-500 m high. The rivers Aragon (Aragon), Bidasoa (Bidasoa), Arakil (Arakil) flow through Navarre. The climate of the province is humid and warm.
In Navarre, forestry is developed, breeding of large cattle and sheep breeding. Only a small part of the province is suitable for agriculture. The cultivation of wheat, sugar beets, viticulture and horticulture are of commercial importance. Traditionally, woodworking, winemaking, paper, sugar, leather and footwear industries are developed in Navarra. In the second half of the 20th century, metallurgy, metalworking, and the chemical industry were developed.
The early history of Navarre is little known. Already in the middle of the 9th century, the county of Navarre achieved independence in the struggle against the Arabs and the Franks. The first king of Navarre about whom there is reliable news was Sancho Garcia (reigned 905-925). King Sancho III the Great (reigned 1000-1035) managed to take possession of the entire north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as a result of the division of the country between his heirs, many annexed territories fell away from Navarre.
In 1076-1134, Navarre was subordinate to Aragon, and in 1234 it became a vassal of the French king: the king of Navarre was a French count. In the years 1285-1328, the king of France himself was at the same time the king of Navarre. Since 1328, Navarre again received its ruler - the French count. Long time The kings of Navarre were counts from the Bourbon dynasty.
The territory of Navarre that developed in the Middle Ages was divided by the Pyrenees into two parts: the southern, the so-called Upper Navarre, and the northern, Lower Navarre. Economically, Navarre was a backward region, with underdeveloped cities. Patriarchal tribal communities dominated in the mountainous regions. Until the 15th - early 16th century, the personal dependence of the peasants remained in Navarre.
In 1512 Upper Navarre was conquered by Ferdinand of Aragon and incorporated into Spain. The territory of Lower Navarre remained a kingdom until 1589, after which it was absorbed by France due to the fact that King Henry of Bourbon of Navarre became King Henry IV of France. Over time, the name Navarre stuck only to its southern part, which became a province within Spain.
Estella (Lisarra, Lizarra) - a city in Navarre, previously the Navarre Royal Court was located here, pilgrims made a stop in Estella on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The population of the city is 13 thousand people. In the 19th century, the city was a stronghold of the Carlists; on the first Sunday of May, a memorial rally is held in Estella. The main monuments of the city are located at the bridge over the river Ega (Ega). Steep steps lead from Plaza de San Martin to the Church of San Pedro de la Rua. The 12th century church stands on top of a cliff. Carved capitals are all that remains of the Romanesque courtyard, destroyed in 1592, when the castle towering above the temple was blown up. On the opposite side of the Plaza de San Martin stands the palace of the Navarrese kings, the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra, a rare example of civil Romanesque architecture. The palace houses the art gallery of Navarre.
In the city center, on the Plaza de los Fueros, is the church of San Juan Bautista with a Romanesque portal. The Church of San Miguel is notable for its northern portal with a relief depicting the Archangel Michael slaying the devil. 3 km south-west of the city is the Nuestra Senora de Irache Monastery, built by Cistercian monks who provided shelter for pilgrims heading to Santiago. In the architecture of the monastery complex, a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles is noticeable. The apses of the temple are Romanesque, and the galleries of the courtyard belong to the Plateresco style. Noteworthy is the dome of the monastery church. There is a wine cellar next to the monastery, where pilgrims can drink wine directly from the tap in the monastery wall. To the north of Estella is the 12th century Iransu Monastery. The architecture of the monastery church and the arched galleries of the courtyard are characterized by typical Cistercian simplicity.
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Kingdom of Navarre(Spanish) Reino de Navarra, bask. Nafarroako Erresuma, fr. Royaume de Navarre listen)) is a medieval kingdom. Originally called Kingdom of Pamplona. It included lands on both sides of the Pyrenees near the Atlantic Ocean - the modern province of Navarre in Northern Spain and the Atlantic Pyrenees in modern Southern France. The kingdom existed from the beginning of the 9th century (originally as a county). In 1513, Southern Navarre was conquered by the king of Aragon, Ferdinand II the Catholic, and became part of the kingdom of Spain. Northern Navarre remained independent until 1589, when its king Henry III de Bourbon became King of France under the name Henry IV, after which the kingdom of Navarre was annexed to France (finally in 1620).
Story
Kingdom formation
the most ancient famous residents The Navarre were Vascons, the ancestors of the Basques. Navarre, like the whole territory of Spain, was successively conquered by the Romans, Suebi, Visigoths (in the 6th century). In 507, King Clovis of the Franks defeated the Visigothic king Alaric II at the Battle of Poitiers and annexed Aquitaine and Novempopoulane to the Frankish kingdom. The militant and freedom-loving Vascons, who fortified themselves in the Pyrenees, from the end of the 6th century posed a threat to the Frankish kingdom, periodically rebelling against the power of the Franks. Both the Visigoths and the Franks tried to subdue them in order to control the strategically important passes through the western Pyrenees, but all attempts ended in failure.
Map of the Duchy of Vasconia during the reign of Ed the Great (c. 700-735)
Sancho II was the first ruler to be named "King of Navarre" in 987, but this title was practically non-prevailing until the end of the 11th century. Related to the kings of León and the counts of Castile, he supported the underage king of León, Ramiro III. Supporting the alliance between the states, in 975 Sancho participated in the battle against the Moors near San Esteban de Gormaz, where the Christian army was defeated by one of the best generals caliph al-Hakam II - Ghalib al-Nasiri. In 977, Sancho II's army was defeated by Al-Mansur at Estercuel. In 981, the army of Sancho II and Ramiro III was defeated by Al-Mansur at Rueda, after which Sancho II, seeing the insufficiency of his forces to fight the Moors, personally appeared in Cordoba and made peace with al-Mansur, recognizing himself as a vassal of the caliphate and pledging to pay Cordoba paid an annual tribute and gave his daughter Urraku, who received the Muslim name Abda, as a wife to the hajib, who became the beloved wife of al-Mansur and the mother of his son Abd ar-Rahman. In 992, Sancho II tried to free himself from dependence and refused to pay tribute, but al-Mansur made two trips to Pamplona and forced the king in September next year appear in person at Córdoba in order to renew the vassal oath.
Reign of Sancho III the Great
However, Garcia later fell out with the brothers. In 1043, he defeated Ramiro at Tafalla, and then started a war against Leon and Castile, but died in the battle of Atapuerca on September 15, 1054. Garcia's heir was his eldest son Sancho IV, who ruled under his mother's regency until 1058. He tried to continue his father's policy of expanding the territory of the kingdom. Having entered into an alliance with his uncle Ramiro of Aragon against the ruler of Zaragoza, al-Muqtadir, Sancho IV defeated him and imposed tribute.
In 1074, his younger brother Ramon Garces organized a conspiracy against Sancho IV. As a result of which Sancho was killed in Peñalena.
Union with Aragon
After the death of Sancho came a dynastic crisis. The Navarrese, not happy with the fratricide, elected King Sancho I of Aragon to the throne, who united the crowns of Navarre and Aragon (in Navarre he ruled under the name Sancho V). At the same time, King Alfonso VI of Castile and León recognized the exiled Garcia Sanchez as king. In order to normalize relations with Castile, Sancho of Aragon assisted Alfonso VI in the battle of Zallaq in 1086 and in the defense of Toledo in 1090, and allied himself with the Cid.
Sancho VII, son of Sancho VI, succeeded his father in 1194. A year later, a conflict broke out between Navarre and Castile due to the fact that Sancho did not have time to bring his troops to the battle of Alarcos, and the Castilians were defeated. Alfonso VIII blamed Sancho for the defeat and started a war against him, but was defeated. In 1200, Sancho undertook a military expedition against the Moors, passed through Murcia, Andalusia, and even invaded Africa. Taking advantage of his absence, Castile and Aragon dismembered the Kingdom of Navarre, capturing Álava, Gipuzkoa and Biscay. Under the Treaty of Guadalajara in 1207, Sancho was forced to admit all territorial losses. Sancho later made a decisive contribution to the victory of the Christian coalition army over the Almohad forces on June 16, 1212 at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa.
At some point, Sancho transferred royal powers to his sister Blanca, but in 1229 she died, and in 1232 another sister, Berengaria, also died. Thus the childless Sancho became last representative the male line of the Jimenez dynasty, who ruled in Navarre from the beginning of the 10th century. After his death in 1234, his nephew, Count of Champagne Thibault IV, son of Blanca and Thibault III of Champagne, was elected king of Navarre.
Navarre under the control of foreign dynasties
Rule of the Champagne dynasty
Thibault IV, who ruled in Navarre under the name Theobaldo I, became the first in a long line of kings of French origin. He was widely known as a trouveur, a French poet, author of a large number of works, many lyrical love songs with musical accompaniment, religious poems and sirvents. For this, he received the nickname "Prince of Trouvers". During the infancy of Louis IX, Thibault participated several times in the uprisings of the French nobility against the king. He also organized an unsuccessful crusade in 1239. Being both a French count and king of Navarre, he was forced to torn between his possessions.
Thibaut IV died in 1253, and two sons ruled successively after him.
After Joan's death, the title of King of Navarre was successively borne by her three sons: Louis I (King of France under the name Louis X), Philip II (King of France under the name Philip V) and Charles I (King of France under the name Charles IV).
Navarre ruled by the House of Evreux
In 1328 Charles IV, king of France and Navarre, died. His cousin, Philip VI de Valois, was elected the new king of France. However, the assembly of the Navarrese nobility refused to recognize Philip VI as king. Jeanne, the daughter of King Louis X, who at one time was deprived of the right to inherit the French crown, and her husband, Philippe d'Evreux, recognized her queen as her queen. On March 5, 1329, Philip and Joan were crowned King and Queen of Navarre by the Bishop of Pamplona, Arnaldo de Barbasan, in the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real in Pamplona. Thus the kingdom of Navarre again became independent.
King Philip VI of France recognized this election, but Joan was forced to renounce her claims to the French throne for herself and her offspring. In addition, in 1335, Philip and Jeanne were forced to renounce the rights to Champagne and Brie, attached to the domain of the king of France. In return, under an agreement concluded on March 14, 1336, Philip, who owned the French county of Evreux, was finally assigned the counties of Angoulême and Mortain (raised to the status of a peerage), which he received in 1318 as a dowry of his wife, as well as the castles of Benon in Onys and Fontenay- le Abattu in Poitou. Jeanne later traded Angouleme for a number of properties in Vexin (Pontoise, Beaumont-sur-Oise and Asniers-sur-Oise).
The son and heir of Jeanne and Philip, Charles II the Evil, who succeeded his parents in 1349, was one of the active participants in the Hundred Years' War between France and England. He kept English side, trying to increase possessions in France, and also tried to expand the territory of Navarre at the expense of neighbors. As a result of his political ambitions, the vast French possessions of his family were lost, and Navarre was devastated by destructive wars and raids.
After his death in 1425, he was succeeded by his daughter, Blanca, who was married to Juan of Aragon, who later became King of Aragon. Together with him, she was crowned on the throne of Navarre in 1429.
Navarre under the House of Aragon
While Blanca was alive, she managed Navarra on her own. Her husband Juan of Aragon, who took an active part in the dynastic wars in the wars waged by his elder brother, King of Aragon, Naples and Sicily Alfonso V, did not interfere in Navarre affairs. In addition to Navarre, Blanca also claimed the Duchy of Nemours, but in the end she retained only the title, and the duchy itself was annexed to the French crown.
Blanca died in 1441. Navarre was to be inherited by Blanca and Juan's eldest son, Charles of Vian. However, Juan did not allow his son to the throne, taking control of the kingdom in his own hands, citing Blanca's will that Charles should not call himself king without the consent of his father. At the same time, Charles became Juan's viceroy in Navarre, Juan himself was not very interested in Navarre affairs.
During the periodic occupation of Pamplona by the Aragonese troops, the Navarrese court moved north to Ortes
In 1447, Juan married a second time - Juan Enriquez. After 4 years, she decided to take control of Navarre into her own hands, ensured that Juan appointed her viceroy of Navarre. She was supported by the noble Navarre family of Gramons, but another family, Beaumontov, took the side of the Prince of Vian and refused to obey Juanna. As a result, an uprising began, led by Charles of Vian, who did not get along with his stepmother. But in 1452 he was captured by his father and was forced to promise not to use the royal title until his father's death. After that, Charles fled to the court of his uncle Alfonso V.
In 1458, Alfonso V died, and Juan (under the name Juan II) became his heir, uniting Navarre, Aragon, Valencia, Catalonia, Naples and Sicily in his hands. For Juana Enriquez, the only obstacle separating her son Ferdinand from the succession to the throne was Charles of Vian, and under her influence, Juan ordered Charles to be imprisoned in 1460. This provoked an uprising in Catalonia, which soon spread to Aragon and Navarre. Frightened by the scale of the uprising, Juan was forced to make concessions in 1461. He released Charles of Viana from imprisonment and recognized him as his heir.
However, in the same 1461, Charles of Vian died unexpectedly. Everyone was sure that Karl was poisoned on the orders of Juana Enriquez. Eventually broke out Civil War, which lasted 12 years. Juan was not up to Navarre. The death of Charles made Blanca, Juan's eldest daughter from his first marriage, heiress to the kingdom. However, soon Juan, dissatisfied with his daughter's disobedience (she refused to marry the son of the French king), gave her under the care of the next daughter, Eleanor. Blanca died in 1464 after being poisoned by Eleanor.
Navarre under the Foix and Albre dynasties
Eleanor, who was married to the French Count Gaston IV de Foix, from 1461 until the death of Juan II (with the exception of the period 1468-1471) ruled Navarre on behalf of her father.
Juan II died on January 20, 1479. Eleanor was recognized as Queen of Navarre, but died on February 2. Her husband and eldest son died earlier, so Eleanor's grandson, Francis Phoebus, Comte de Foix, was recognized as the new king. At that moment he was 12 years old, his mother Madeleine, daughter of the French king Charles VII, became regeneral. As king, he was supported by the Gramons and a part of the Navarrese aristocracy associated with them. The Beaumonts, as usual, took the opposite position to the Gramonts, supporting the candidacy of the Aragonese king Ferdinand II (son of Juan II from his second marriage); they were joined by aristocrats who did not want to put up with French interference in the affairs of Navarre. All attempts by Madeleine to reconcile the opposing parties were unsuccessful.
Only a small part of the territory of the kingdom north of the Pyrenees (Lower Navarre) remained in the possession of the Navarrese kings from the Albre dynasty. Nevertheless, it was precisely this possession that retained the name "Kingdom of Navarre" in the 16th century. Its further history is connected with the history of France.
Accession to France
Monument on the battlefield of Noayne
All attempts by King Henry II d'Albret to return the lands seized by Ferdinand were unsuccessful. In 1521 his relative André de Foix conquered most disputed lands, but in the decisive battle of Noayne he was defeated by the Castilian commander of the Duke of Najera.
During the battle of Pavia, Henry was taken prisoner along with the French king Francis I. From his marriage to the king's sister, Marguerite of Valois (thanks to whom he inherited the county of Armagnac), Jeanne III d'Albret was born, later a zealous defender of Calvinism and one of the leaders of the French Huguenots. In 1548, she was married to Duke Antoine de Bourbon, who, after Henry's death, became King Consort of Navarre.
Their son Henry, Prince of Bearn, who, after the death of his father and the death of his mother, became the king of Navarre, later ascended the French throne under the name Henry IV. After that, the kingdom of Navarre formally remained a sovereign state for some time, but in 1620, on the initiative of Cardinal Richelieu, it was included in France in the status of a province. The French kings were then officially titled "Kings of France and Navarre".
In 1790, with the abolition of the division of France into provinces during the French Revolution, Navarre became part of the Bas-Pyrenees department (now the Pyrenees-Atlantiques). The title "King of Navarre" in 1791 is excluded from the title of the French king; later, in the period after the Restoration, it was again used by the "restored" Bourbon kings, but after
Navarra is an autonomous region of northern Spain with an area of 10,391 sq. km and with a population of 520 thousand people. It is located at the foot of the Pyrenees and borders France in the north, the Basque Country in the west, La Rioja in the south, and Aragon in the east and southeast.
Photo: Foz de Lumbiere Canyon Navarra is a heterogeneous region that is a cocktail of golden medieval kingdom history, romantic landscapes, gastronomic surprises and extreme traditions.
Once Navarre was an independent kingdom, but in 1841 it became an autonomous part of Spain. The Navarrese community has retained its laws as well as its rich heritage. History buffs will have a lot of fun here.
Navarra is a region in the north of Spain with amazing natural beauty and numerous sights and antiquities. Medieval palaces and castles have been preserved here, to which narrow ancient streets lead. In Navarre miraculously combines desert expanses and green plains near the Ebro River. In the distance you can see the mountain peaks of the Pyrenees. This is one of the most developed and prosperous regions of Spain, where unemployment is at its lowest. In the city of Olita, the palace of the Navarre kings and the Gothic churches of the 14th century have been preserved. For lovers of ecotourism, there is complete expanse here - a huge biosphere reserve Bardenas Reales. Navarra is also popular among those who want to improve their health - tourists have chosen thermal springs in the city of Baños de Fitero.
Navarra celebrates many holidays and festivals. Pay special attention to San Fermin - not for the faint of heart, because during the celebrations from July 6 to 14, the so-called "encierro" takes place - a run from a dozen angry bulls. The extraordinary festival was one of the favorite holidays of the famous Ernest Hemingway.
Navarre, and its capital Pamplona, is not a place for professional shopping, but nevertheless, local shops hold sales after the New Year and in the second half of the summer.
Cultural differences
Photo: Vineyards of the Navarre region In the north of Navarre, the Basque way of life reigns, while the south of Navarre opposes this in every possible way and retains its original Navarrean spirit. The provincial capital of Pamplona is a point of neutrality that keeps north and south united. Along with Spanish, the official language is Basque.
Navarra is a leader in the use of alternative (renewable) energy sources throughout the continent (70% of the region's energy). It is also a wine-growing region, where winemakers strive to make their own unique wines.
Nature
Photo: Natural beauty of the Navarre region The nature of Navarre is as diverse as the province itself. In the north there are steep mountains, and in the south there are endless plains, and in addition forests, caves and gorges. There is no sea or ocean here, but there are many hiking trails with ascents to picturesque mountain peaks.
Here is the most virgin beech forest in Europe - Salva de Irati. There are also breathtaking canyons, such as Foz de Lumbiere. In total, the province has 50 reserves.
Climate
The entire province of Navarre is characterized by a dry and hot summer period, but without abnormal heat. Winter is rich in snow, the temperature ranges from +2°C to +8°C, but in the mountains it is much colder. This is the region of year-round tourism.
Why go
Navarre is, first of all, rich story, medieval architecture and beautiful nature. Gourmets will be able to satisfy their passion for gastronomic delights. Many come from all over the world to watch and participate in the San Fermin bull run.
When to go
A great time to travel is September, when you can enjoy autumn colors beech forest and go to walking tour through the passes of the Navarrese Pyrenees in the cool of the day.
What to see in Navarre
A photo: the Royal Castle Olite Navarra is a paradise for lovers of the Middle Ages and everything connected with it. Numerous houses, buildings, palaces and castles from those distant times have been preserved here, when knights still fought for the hearts of ladies in tournaments. We have compiled the top 10 best attractions that you should not miss when you come to Navarre:
- built in the 13th-14th centuries, it still amazes the imagination of its visitors. This is a whole castle complex in the best traditions of those times: magnificent gardens for long-awaited guests, and deep moats for uninvited travelers. Unfortunately, after many misfortunes, interior decoration not preserved, and the castle itself is very dilapidated. Restoration work has been going on for more than a decade and has not yet been completed.
- this monastery played a big role in the Reconquista process and it is here that the remains of the first kings of Navarre are buried. The entire building is made of special stone, so it is perfectly preserved.
Photo: Leire Monastery - each region and even city has its own cathedral, which at the same time looks like brothers, but it always has its own zest. Construction took a century and a half, and the result was this beautiful building in the Gothic style.
A photo: Cathedral Saint Mary in Pamplona - bullfights are held here only as part of the San Fermin festival. The rest of the time, no one kills or stabs anyone, but on the contrary, musicians give concerts here, and large fairs work on weekends.
Photo: Bullring in Pamplona - during the struggle against the Moorish conquerors, it was impossible to do without a fortress. The special form of buildings - in the form of a pentagon - is well known and widespread in the world.
Photo: Pamplona Fortress Plaza del Castillo- the central square of Pamplona, where the oldest hotel of the currently operating in the city has been preserved.
Photo: Piazza del Castillo In Pamplona was founded in the middle of the 20th century. It contains exhibits and historical values found during numerous excavations in this region. Some of them were discovered by chance - during the construction of foundations or in the process of repairing underground utilities.
Photo: Museum of Navarra in Pamplona Planetarium- a huge red brick building in Pamplona annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists. The large exhibition halls feature numerous exhibits and interactive computers that popularly explain and talk about human space exploration.
Photo: Planetarium in Pamplona Deccan's Palace in Tudela- Once a local bishop lived in it. Royals and even Pope Adrian VI regularly stayed in the building. Visitors will see beautiful masterpieces of art on secular and religious themes.
Church of Saint Nicholas in Tudela- it is over 1000 years old, but the building is perfectly preserved. Over the centuries, it was completed and rebuilt, so you can see different styles in the design of interior decoration.
Pamplona
A photo: detailed map Pamplona Pamplona is the most Big city and the capital of Navarre, as well as the oldest city in Spain (74 BC). The city, which has seen more than one thousand years, has preserved architectural monuments different eras and styles. There are many magnificent parks here and, apart from the "bull" madness, this is a cozy and quiet city.
Pamplona is well-known thanks to the world-famous San Fermin holiday (July 7-14) with the most dangerous action of the encierro - a daily run from 12 angry bulls. This is opposed by the masses of activists, but so far the tradition has been preserved. By the way, the bull run takes place in other cities of Navarre, but Ernest Hemingway contributed to the popularization of the Pamplona fiesta, describing it in the novel The Sun Also Rises.
Entertainment and attractions
Photo: City of Olite Whichever city you visit, it will take you back to the Middle Ages, when the Kingdom of Navarre experienced its glorious times.
The decoration of the capital of Pamplona is the Gothic temple-museum, which was built during 1397-1527. The 16th century Pamplona Fortress has the shape of a star, which is formed by 5 bastions. The royal palace (19th century) and the city hall building are unique in architectural terms. Museum of Navarra exhibits archaeological finds, medieval jewelry, frescoes and other fascinating items.
Olite is cute medieval city and the capital of winemaking. The castle-palace Palacio Real de Olite, where the Navarrese kings lived, as well as the Church of the Virgin Mary (14th century), are of interest here. Worthy of attention of tourists is the town of Wuhue in the suburbs of Olite with a fortress, in which time seems to have frozen several centuries ago.
The city of Puente La Reina is located at the crossroads of pilgrimage routes (the path of the Apostle James). The main object is a beautiful arched bridge across the Arga River, which is one of the best examples Romanesque architecture. The bridge and the Cathedral in Tudela are interesting.
Of the natural objects, one can name the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve in the south and the thermal springs in Fitero.
15 things to do in Navarre
Photo: San Fermin Festival in Navarre No one will be bored in Navarra. We have selected the 15 most important things to do in this region:
- Walk part of the way of St. James, which runs through Navarre and further west. You can feel like one of the many pilgrims who make this route every year.
- Throw a coin into the fountain in Piazza del Castillo - to be sure to return not only to Spain, but also to Navarre.
- Become an astrologer in a planetarium - do modern scientists know how many stars there are in the sky?
- Admire the beauty of the cathedral - and in fact there were no building cranes or automatic elevators before. Everything was done almost by hand.
- To participate in the run from the bulls is not necessary to personally sparkle with your heels in front of the eyes of an angry bull, you can be content with the role of an enthusiastic observer. Believe me - there will be no less adrenaline!
- Climbing the fortress - just imagine that in the entire history of this structure, only Napoleon managed to take it by storm.
- Visit the Dean's Palace and find out what paintings adorned the walls of the dwellings of the most titled ministers of the church.
- Spend the night at the Royal Palace - yes, it is in the palace! Since the old buildings of the Royal Palace were converted into a hotel. Tourists go on excursions to the new buildings.
- Stop by the Leire Monastery and learn the history of the reconquest of Spain from the bloodthirsty Moors.
- Strolling through the long park in Pamplona along the river is a favorite place to relax after a hot day for both tourists and locals.
- Buy home Navarre cheese "Idiazabal" (Idiazábal) from sheep's milk and smoked on cherry or beech.
- Taste hare or quail in chocolate from local chefs.
- Find out the price of adrenaline at the San Fermin festival in the race of hot bulls through the streets.
- Feel like a citizen of the medieval kingdom of Navarre on the streets of Pamplona or Olite.
- Try the product of local winemakers - light pink and sweet Muscat wines.
Shopping (What and where to buy)
Navarra is rich not only in Spanish souvenirs and treats, but also in its own. We have compiled the top 5 most original gifts from a trip to Navarre:
- Pacharan is an original liquor based on blackthorn berries. The drink has a pleasant taste and will serve as an excellent digestif for guests.
- Red Headscarf - Even if you have never run in front of bulls, and are not going to do it in your right mind, you can still wear a red headband as a participant in this extreme entertainment. A couple is worth bringing to friends.
- Son Roncal (Roncal) - local cheese made from sheep's milk. This variety hard cheeses known for over a thousand years. It is easy to pack in luggage.
- Wood products - local craftsmen create real works of art from wood. The price may be high, but this is real handmade.
- Wines - in addition to the above liquor, there are a lot of other wines of different categories: from table brands to luxury wines.
Where to live
Photo: Hotel in Pamplona NH Pamplona Iruna Park Navarra is becoming a popular region among tourists, so there are quite a few hotels for every taste and budget. We have selected the top 5 most popular and inexpensive, based on the reviews of experienced travelers:
- NH Pamplona Iruna Park (Travesia Arcadio Maria Larraona 1 | San Juan, 31008, Pamplona) is an excellent hotel, convenient for both personal travel and business trips. Spacious rooms with modern equipment. Great location and delicious breakfasts. That is why it is one of the most popular in the city.
- AC Hotel Ciudad de Pamplona (Calle Iturrama 21, 31007, Pamplona) - some distance from the center, but at the same time comfortable and with a high level of service for guests. Hearty breakfasts, large rooms and several great restaurants nearby for delicious dinners.
- Holiday Inn Express Pamplona (Area Comercial Galaria Calle R, 111 | Calle R 111- Mutilva, 31192, Pamplona) is a convenient hotel for those who travel by car. It is on the border of the city in the center of shopping. Parking is available for guests. Internet access is free on site. All guests praise the hotel for more than a rich choice during breakfast.
- AC Hotel Ciudad de Tudela (Calle Misericordia S/N, 31500 Tudela) is a cozy hotel in a quiet part of the city. Large rooms, quality service. The rooms have Wi-Fi Internet access. One of the best hotels in the city.
- Hotel Tudela Bardenas (Avenida Zaragoza 60, 31500 Tudela) is an excellent combination of price and quality. Excellent location in the city center. The rooms are clean, spacious enough and comfortable with modern furnishings.
Plan a trip to Navarre for 1 day or 1 week
Navarre - amazing edge in which the history of Spain and France is closely intertwined. After all, part of this historically established kingdom is now part of France. Traveling around this region, you can learn a lot of new and interesting things about the formation of the country and the culture of local residents.
We put it all together and created detailed plan trips.
| Day | Morning | Dinner | Evening |
| 1 | Pamplona. Cathedral of Saint Mary. Viewpoint Mirador de Caballo Blanco. Nearby is a large shady park with benches and seating areas. Ruins of ancient walls. | Ancient city gate Portal de Francia. Calle Mercaderes, where the bulls run during the San Fermin festival. | We recommend meeting the sunset near Piazza del Castillo. There are several casinos nearby - you can try your luck. And after a walk, go to the grill bar Gure Etxea (Plaza del Castillo, 8), which serves great steaks. The spacious terrace offers a wonderful view. |
| 2 | Navarre Palace. Bull Square. Arena. | Center of fortifications. Excursion and story about the defensive structures of the city. | Monument to the running bulls. La Ciudadela park, ruins of medieval buildings and structures. We recommend finishing the evening at the Iruñaberri restaurant (Av. de Pío XII, 7), which serves excellent Spanish paella. |
| 3 | Planetarium. Yamaguchi Park. | Museum of the University of Navarra. Student town. | Historic city center. The building of the central archive. Walk along the old streets. Dine at Mesón de La Navarrería (Calle Navarrería, 15), where you will find a great atmosphere and delicious homemade food. |
| 4 | Church of Santa Maria de Eunate in Murazabal. | Palace in Olita. We advise you to spend the afternoon here, walking around the palace and its surroundings. | We recommend finishing your walk at the Asador Casa del Preboste restaurant (Calle Rúa Mirapiés, 8), which serves excellent steaks. |
| 5 | Monastery of Santa Maria de la Oliva. | Bardenas Reales. Semi-desert. | Tudela. Cathedral. |
| 6 | Deccan Palace. Tudela Museum. | House of the Admiral. | Museum contemporary art. We offer dinner at Restaurante Casa Lola (Plaza Mercadal, 26), which serves a chic cod dish. |
| 7 | Palacio Marques de Huarte. Interior decoration of the building. Church of El Carmen. | Plaza de Los Fueros. | Bridge over the river Ebro. Church of St. Magdalena. |
What and where to eat in Navarre
Photo: Grilled trout We have collected 5 of the best Navarrese dishes that you should definitely try:
- River trout - Navarra does not have its own access to the sea, so it is mainly used River fish. It can be grilled or baked in the oven. Fish must be stuffed with vegetables and jamon.
- Ajoarriejo cod - the most popular in the region sea fish. Salted and soaked cod is used. Also add tomatoes, pieces of garlic, onions, peppers and regular potatoes.
- Quail in chocolate - a whole quail baked in the oven, poured with chocolate. This is an amazing combination of poultry meat and a sweet dessert.
- Chistorra - long beef sausages with pork, lard and spices (garlic, red pepper, salt, sugar). Most often they are fried and put in a bun in the likeness of hot dogs.
- White asparagus is the main ingredient in almost every side dish. Sometimes it is also served as a main dish.
Kitchen
Due to the climatic diversity, Navarre has a developed agricultural area, which also affected the cuisine of this region. Here they like to cook with artichokes, beans and asparagus, chestnuts, peppers, various leafy salads and dairy products. Shellfish and other seafood are delivered from cities on the coast.
In local restaurants you can taste excellent hare or rabbit meat, which is very popular here. Among traditional dishes: rabbit with snails, chocolate-covered quail, oxtail roast, juicy Navarre lamb, artichokes with clams and more. And wash it all down with blackthorn brandy (el pacharan) or local Navarre wine.
The best excursions in Navarre according to reviews
You can see the beauty of Pamplona in this author's video:
Navarre has a lot of interesting places. Some you can see on your own, but sometimes we advise you to look at organized excursions, during which a professional guide will tell you details that are not in any guidebook.
- Tour on SUVs and ATVs - ride with a breeze through the desert past stone pillars and natural monuments.
- Watching the bulls run from the balcony - if you do not take a seat on the street from early morning and stand in the crowd waiting for the start of the San Fermin festival, then it is better to take advantage of the offer of local guides and book a place on one of the balconies from where beautiful view for the whole event, plus you will be told about the history of the appearance of these races.
- Walking tour of Pamplona - there are so many sights and antiquities that you will not see everything on your own. The guide will lead the group along an original route and tell local legends and stories from the life of the city.
- Gastronomic tour - how to try all the most delicious and unusual in a region where they have been keeping their own cookbook for almost a thousand years? The guide will help you understand this culinary variety.
- Kayaking is for those tourists who want to get to know the nature of Navarre better. In addition, the most full-flowing river in Spain, the Ebro, flows here.
How to save money on renting a house in Spain?
Instead of hotels, we rent apartments (1.5-2 times cheaper on average) on AirBnB.com, a very convenient worldwide and well-known apartment rental service.
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