Route of the Castles and Fortresses in Navarre

 This route is formed by four different itineraries which will take you to 19 strategic points. This is because Navarre's frontier location caused successive mediaeval kings to build a series of fortress-squares, walled enclosures, lookout towers and castles…

The first itinerary, in the Pyrenees, includes the Castle of Amaiur/Maya, the Jauregia Castle-Tower in Donamaría and the Jauregia Palace in Irurita. Imagine a time in which for a full ten days, 29 Navarrans fought off an attack by 30,000 soldiers…

On the second itinerary, along the Pamplona basin, you'll see Tiebas Castle and the walled enclosure and citadel of Pamplona. You'll find yourself in the presence of one of the best conserved bastioned enclosures in Europe.

The third itinerary, one of the most comprehensive, and which runs through the Zona Media area, makes stops in the Castle-Palace of the Kings of Navarre in Olite, the walled enclosure of Artajona, the Church-Fortress of Ujué, the fortified palace of the Prince of Viana in Sangüesa, Javier Castle, the monumental site of Estella-Lizarra (the castles of Zalatambor, Santa María Jus del Castillo and San Pedro de la Rúa), Monjardín castle and the monumental site of Viana. Discover a world of drawbridges, towers, dungeons… Many of these monuments are located on the top of hills, where visitors are rewarded with outstanding panoramic views.

The fourth itinerary, along the Ribera river bank, includes the walled enclosure of the abandoned town of Rada, Santacara Castle, Marcilla Castle, the Torre Monreal tower in Tudela and Cortes Castle, the highest tower in Navarre and the place where you can see what was, according to tradition, the famous sword known as Tizona which once belonged to El Cid Campeador.

And to conclude, another pleasant surprise. On particular dates, the main castles and fortresses along this route organise free guided visits at weekends. You'll find the days and exact times on the web page of the the official tourism website for Navarre .

Are you ready to become a mediaeval knight?