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Former kingdom Navarre, now having the status of an autonomous region, is located in the north of the country at the southern foot of the western Pyrenees, in close proximity to the border with. The historical connection of the region with this country can be traced back over many centuries, and the culture and traditions of Navarre are largely of French origin, which gives these places a fair amount of charm and romanticism.

Peculiarities

Unlike the medieval era, today the region does not have such an impressive territory and consists of only one province, which includes 272 municipalities. The main areas here are winemaking, livestock farming, growing vegetables and fruits, as well as woodworking, leather and footwear, paper, metallurgical and chemical industries. The lands of Navarre are replete with beautiful natural landscapes, which for centuries have been silent witnesses to the confrontation between the Spanish and French crowns for the right to own this territory. In the ancient cities of the region, unique buildings created many centuries ago have been preserved to this day, and their narrow streets and cobblestone streets are literally saturated with the atmosphere of the times of Charlemagne or the Aragonese king Ferdinand II. This region is primarily of interest for its numerous attractions and virgin green forests, where the royal nobility once hunted. However, the influence of modern civilization also affected these places, which, first of all, affected the development of the region’s infrastructure and the organization of transport links with neighboring regions.

General information

The territory of Navarre covers an area of ​​just over 10,300 square meters. km, ranking 11th in the country by this indicator. The population is about 600,000 thousand people. Residents speak Castilian (Spanish) and Basque. Local time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in the summer. Official website www.navarra.es.

A brief excursion into history

The current Spanish possessions of Navarre are just part of the kingdom of the same name, which existed here in the Middle Ages and was divided into upper and lower halves. Upper Navarre today represents Spanish territory, and Lower Navarre is part of France. Since ancient times, these places belonged to the Suevi, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. In 778 AD they were conquered by Charlemagne, who was soon defeated by the Basques, but then the Spanish monarchy was restored here again. In 905, the inhabitants of Navarre gained independence and elected Sancho I Garcia as their ruler, who proclaimed the creation of an independent kingdom. A little over 300 years later, a new dynasty was founded here, uniting the Castilian family of Sancho with the French crown, through the marriage of the last representative of the dynasty of Navarre kings, Joanna, to King Philip IV the Fair of France. Since then, the fate of the region has been inextricably linked with these two countries. Upper Navarre has remained a part of Spain since 1512, and in 1982 it received autonomous status.

Climate

Weather conditions in the region vary depending on the region, but in general the area is characterized by an Atlantic climate. During the winter months there is often heavy snowfall here, and the air temperature ranges from +2 to +8 degrees, with noticeably cooler temperatures at higher elevations. Summer is usually sunny, but extreme heat is rare. You can visit the region at any time of the year, depending on your preferences.

How to get there

Navarre's main international airport is located near.

Transport

The cities of the region are connected by an extensive railway network, and there is also a convenient bus service. Despite the fact that mountainous landscapes prevent construction, roads are laid in all main areas and you can move along them in any direction.

Main cities

The capital of the autonomy is the city. It lies on the banks of the Arge and is one of the oldest in Spain. The engineering, chemical, pulp and paper and food industries are well developed here, and there are also several reputable higher educational institutions. One of the most popular tourist sites is the Historical and Art Museum of Navarre, where you can learn a lot of interesting things about its past. Near the city, the slopes of the Sierra de Aralar originate, with which many legends and myths about winged monsters are associated. Among other interesting cities in the region, it is worth highlighting the medieval Olite, with the castle of the same name, where the Navarrese kings lived in the past, the romantic Puente La Reina, which is an example of Romanesque architecture, Tudela, with its ancient religious buildings and Estella, which for centuries served as the center of the struggle for unification of Navarre. The Basque towns of Aurits-Burguete, Orreaga-Roncesvalles and Elizondo are extremely attractive, as well as the Señorio de Bertis Natural Park and the picturesque gorges of Foz de Lumbier and Foz de Arbayun, in the Rio Salazar Valley. Among those who like to relax at thermal resorts, the balneological center of Banos de Fitero, located in the small town of Fitero, is popular.

Attractions and entertainment

Almost every locality in Navarre bears the stamp of history. The city of Olite is famous for the magnificent Palacio Real de Olite and Gothic churches, and a couple of tens of kilometers away is the majestic Ujue fortress. In Tudela, the magnificent Cathedral and the ancient stone bridge over the Ebro River attract attention. Famous for the Taconera Park, the Gothic Cathedral and its magnificent museums. The region is of great interest to lovers of hunting, fishing and hiking, with unforgettable climbs to picturesque mountain peaks. The main festive event of the year for residents and guests of Navarre is the Feast of San Fermin, dedicated to the Bishop of Pamplona named Fermin, who saved the city from the plague in the Middle Ages. Celebrations take place in the capital of the region for a whole week, accompanied by wild fun, various shows and competitions.

Kitchen

In numerous culinary establishments of the region, fresh and natural products are always used when preparing dishes, including asparagus, artichokes, red peppers, potatoes, herbs, juicy beans and other indispensable attributes of traditional Navarrese delights. T-bone steaks and cod in oil are especially in demand here. It's also worth trying the sweet cream pie and locally made waffles. As drinks, there is no competition for delicious wines made from grapes growing on regional plantations.

Shopping

The capital Pamplona is most suitable for shopping; its shops, markets and shopping centers offer a wide range of all kinds of goods for every taste. However, in other localities you can fully satisfy a variety of shopping needs and purchase excellent souvenirs.

Navarre is the embodiment of the historical heritage of the north of Spain and is of great interest to a large number of travelers who are not indifferent to the glorious past of these places. In this region, you can not only feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and learn a lot of interesting things about the culture and traditions of the local residents, but also enjoy wonderful natural landscapes that can compete in beauty with the most picturesque areas of the country.

autonomous community
Autonomous Community of Navarre
Spanish Comunidad Foral de Navarra Basque. Nafarroako Foru Erkidegoa
anthem of Navarre
Country
Includes	province of Navarre
Administrative center
Date of formation	August 16, 1982
Prime Minister	Barcos, Uxue
GDP	29,221 euros
Official languages	Basque, Spanish
Population	640,647 people ( 2016 (15th place)
Density	61.65 people/km² (13th place)
Confessional composition	Catholicism
Square	10,391 km² (11th place)
Height · Maximum	2504 m
Time zone	UTC+1, in summer UTC+2
ISO 3166-2 code	ES-NC
Dialing code	948
Internet domain	es
Official website
Audio, photo and video on Wikimedia Commons

Navarre(Spanish) Comunidad Foral de Navarra , Basque Nafarroako Foru Erkidegoa) - formerly a kingdom, now a province and autonomous region in the north, at the southern base of the western Pyrenees, on the border with.

Area - 10,391 km². Population - 641,293 inhabitants (2011). These are predominantly ethnic Basques (about 47%) and Spaniards. The most important city of Navarre and its administrative center is (Iruña).

Geography

Northern part of Navarre, Montana, is entirely occupied by the spurs of the southern Pyrenees (the highest point is Ani Peak, 2504 m), the southern part is on a plateau with an altitude of 400-500 m. The average temperature in January in Pamplona is about 2.5 °C, in July - 20 °C. The province is watered by the Ebro River, with tributaries flowing mainly along the southern border, with tributaries Ega and Aragon, as well as the Bidassoa River (in the north). Forests (mostly broad-leaved) are found only in the mountainous part of the province; the plateau is occupied by saline steppes.

Story

The current Spanish province of Navarre constitutes only the southern half of the medieval kingdom of the same name - Upper Navarre: Lower Navarre, located on the northern slope of the Pyrenees, is part of France.

The earliest known inhabitants of Navarre were the Vascones, descended from the ancient Iberians, the oldest population of Spain; their descendants are the Basques. Navarre, like the entire territory of Spain, was successively conquered by the Romans, Suevi, and Visigoths (in the 6th century), (in the 8th century).

In 778, Charlemagne occupied most of the territory of Navarre, pushing back the Moors, but was soon defeated by the Basques, who defeated the leader of his troops, the famous Roland, and was forced to cede almost all the conquered lands. His son, the king, at the beginning of the 9th century restored the Spanish monarchy, which included Navarre. As a result of strife in the Frankish kingdom, the inhabitants of Navarre gained independence and elected Sancho I Garces, considered a descendant of the Visigothic king Reccared, as their count; having conquered, he proclaimed the independent kingdom of Navarre in 905; Having conquered the upper Ebro region from the Saracens, the first king of Navarre died in 925.

The most successful of the descendants of Sancho Garces was Sancho III the Great (reigned around 1000-1035), who conquered almost the entire northern part of the Iberian Peninsula and divided it between his four sons; Navarre went to his son Garcia. As a result of the division, many territories annexed by Sancho III actually became independent kingdoms. In 1076, Navarre lost its independence, falling under the rule of the Aragonese king, who took the throne from Sancho IV. However, soon, in 1134, Navarre again became an independent kingdom led by Garcia IV.

In 1234, after the death of Sancho VII, who had no heirs, a new dynasty was founded in Navarre by the French Count Thibault of Champagne. The last representative of this dynasty, Joanna, married the French king Philip IV the Fair; thus, Navarre became part of French territory.

After the suppression of the Capetian male line (1328), Navarre was succeeded by Joanna II, daughter of Louis X, and her husband, the French Count Philip III, became ruler. Upon the death of the latter, power passed to his son, Charles II the Evil. Together with the hand of his granddaughter, Blanca, the kingdom went to Juan II of Aragon in 1441; Navarre was united with the Kingdom of Aragon for the next 38 years.

In 1479, the lands of Navarre were united with Béarn: the Spanish king Juan II bequeathed Navarre to his daughter, who was married to Gaston, Viscount of Béarn. In 1484, Navarre passed to the house of Albre, who owned it until 1512 and lost dominance over this part of the Iberian Peninsula in the fight with the Spanish king Ferdinand the Catholic.

During the Middle Ages, Navarre's economic development remained low; There were few cities on its territory; there were peasant communities in the mountains.

In 1517, King John's son, Henry II, inherited Lower Navarre and Béarn. His only daughter and heir, Jeanne d'Albret, married Antoine de Bourbon. Her reign is known primarily for the introduction of Calvinism to Navarre.

In 1589, with the accession of her son Henry III to the French throne (under the name Henry IV), Lower Navarre finally lost its independence and was incorporated into France. However, Navarre retained a number of privileges until the Great French Revolution, and the French kings until 1830 bore the title of kings of France and Navarre.

Upper Navarre remains part of Spain to this day. She, unlike Lower Navarre, retained political privileges for a long time - until the first half of the 19th century (thus, until 1833 she had the status of a viceroyalty; the ancient noble privileges of Navarre remained until 1839). In 1808, the territory of Upper Navarre was occupied by the troops of Napoleonic France; released in 1814.

During the Carlist wars of 1833-1840 and 1872-1876, the Navarrese supported the Carlists, who promised to restore Navarre's former autonomy. The result of the defeat of the Carlists was the loss of many privileges by Navarra. In 1876, Navarre was stripped of any vestiges of autonomy and became an ordinary Spanish province.

During the Spanish Revolution of 1931, Navarre was a hotbed of peasant uprisings aimed at the complete elimination of feudal relations in the province. That same year, Navarre was united with the Basque Country into a single autonomous state within Spain. During the civil war of 1936-39. Navarre is on the side of Franco's nationalists, who encouraged Carlist organizations (military units of the "rekete").

Administrative division

The territory of the autonomous community is divided into 19 districts (mosquitoes), 272 municipalities.

Linguistic division of the territory

According to Foral Law 18/86 of December 15, 1986, Navarre is linguistically divided into 3 zones according to the nature of the distribution of the Basque language: Basque-speaking(with a predominance of Basque speakers), mixed And non-Basque speaking(with a predominance of Hispanics).

In the Basque-speaking and mixed zones, the Basque language has official status alongside Spanish, while in the non-Basque-speaking zone, only Spanish is the official language. The official status of Basque presupposes, among other things, the use of Basque toponymy and the right of a citizen to use the Basque language when communicating in public authorities (courts, municipal administration, etc.).

According to the 2001 Spanish census Of the total population of Navarre (536,989 people), 110,407 people (20.6%) speak Basque to one degree or another.

• V Basque-speaking zone Home to 53,632 people. Of these, 33,420 people (62.3%) speak Basque well, 7,078 people (13.2%) speak with difficulty, 13,134 people (24.5%) do not speak Basque.
• V mixed zone Home to 288,953 people. Of these, 27,462 people (9.5%) speak Basque well, 31,403 people (10.9%) speak it with difficulty, 230,088 people (79.6%) do not speak it.
• V non-Basque speaking area Home to 194,404 people. Of these, 4,237 people (2.2%) speak Basque well, 6,807 people speak with difficulty (3.5%), and 183,360 people (94.3%) do not speak Basque.

List of 162 municipalities of Basque-speaking and mixed zones:

• Basque-speaking zone: Abaurrea-Alta (Abaurregaina), Abaurrea-Baja (Abaurrepea), Alsasua (Altsashu), Anue, Aras (Araitz), Aranas (Aranza), Arano, Araquil, Arbisu, Areso (Arecho), Aria, Arive (Aribe), Arruazu , Bakaikoa (Bakayku), Basaburua Mayor (Bashaburua), Bastan, Bertisarana, Betelu, Burguete (Auritz), Sjordia, Donamaria, Echalar, Echarri-Aranas (Echarri-Aranaz), Elgorriaga, Erasun (Eracun), Ergoena, Erro, Esteribar (Esterribar), Ezcurra, Garayoa, Garralda, Goizueta, Huarte Araquil, Imos (Imotz), Iranieta, Ituren, Iturmendi, Labaen, Lacunza (Lakunza), Lans (Lanz), Larraun, Leisa (Leyza), Lesaca (Leshaka), Ois (Oyts), Olasagutia (Olasti), Orbaiceta (Orbaiceta), Orbara, Roncesvalles (Orreaga), Saldias (Shaldias), Santesteban (Donestebe), Sumbilla (Sunbilya), Ulsama (Ultsama), Urdax (Urdasubi), Urdiain, Urros de Sanesteban (Urroz), Valcarlos (Luzaide), Vera de Bidasoa (Bera), Villanueva de Aescoa (Iriberri), Yancy (Iganzi), Subieta, Sugarramurdi.
• Mixed zone: Abarsusa, Ansoain (Anshoain), Aois (Agoits), Arce (Artzi), Ates, Baranyain, Burgi, Burlada (Burlata), Sirisa, Sisur, Echarri, Echauri, Egues (Egues), Escaros (Escarose), Esparza (Esparza) , Estella (Lizarra), Escabarte, Garde, Goñi, Guesa (Gorza), Gesalas (Gesalatz), Huarte, Isaba, Isa, Izalzu (Itzalzu), Jaurrieta (Dyaurrieta), Huslapeña (Dyushlapeña), Lesaun, Lisoain, Ochagavia (Otsagabia ), Odieta, Olaibar, Olsa, Oglio, Orons (Oronze), Oros Betelo, Pamplona (Iruña), Puente la Reina (Gares), Roncal (Erroncari), Salinas de Oro, Sarries (Sarze), Ursainki, Ustarros (Ustarrose ), Vidangos (Bidangose), Vidaurreta (Bidaurreta), Villava (Atarrabia), Erri, Sabalsa.
• Non-Basque speaking zone includes all other municipalities, mainly in the center, south, east and southeast of the Autonomous Community, where the Basque language does not have any official status, since, as a rule, it is not spoken by the local population. However, in this zone there are municipalities where the bilingual population exceeds 10%, such as Tafalla, Sangueza (Sangosa) and Lumbier (Ilunberry). Although the number of people who speak Basque fluently ranges from 5% in Tafalla and Sangues to 10% in Lumbiera. In other municipalities where there are ikastols (Basque-language schools), such as Fontellas, Lodoza and Viana, the bilingual population ranges from 2% to 8%.

Policy

The Navarre Parliament consists of 50 deputies.

Economy

In livestock farming, cattle and sheep are raised. The Ebro River valley in the far south is fertile (growing wheat, sugar beets, grapes). Viticulture and gardening are developed in the Pyrenees; Chestnuts and walnuts have been grown since ancient times; There is an insignificant forestry industry.

Mining, woodworking, paper, leather and footwear, metallurgical, chemical, food (sugar and wine) industries.

Literature

• Navarre // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• Olhagary, “Histoire de Foix, Béarn et Navarre” (P., 1609)
• Faryn, “Histoire de Navarre” (P., 1622)
• Bordenave († 1572), "Histoire de Bearn et de Navarre" (published by Raymond, P., 1873)
• Boissonade, “Histoire de la réunion de la Navarre à la Castille” (P., 1893).

Previously a kingdom, Navarre is now a province in northern Spain, located near the southern base of the Pyrenees Mountains and bordering France. The majority of people living here are ethnic Basques and Spaniards.
This province represents the southern part of the kingdom that existed in the Middle Ages, the other half belongs to France. At a certain historical period, this territory was dominated by the Romans, Suevi, Visigoths, and Moors. At the end of the 8th century, Charlemagne pushed back the Moors and conquered most of the kingdom, but was defeated by Basque troops. Then, over the course of centuries, this land was transferred from one ruler to another.

On the territory of Navarre there is a division according to the use of language, one part speaks Basque, the other speaks mixed and the third speaks Spanish. The capital of the province is Pamplona, ​​where the running of the bulls is held every year. There is a small airport from where you can fly to Barcelona or Madrid. From the airport you need to take a transfer directly to the desired location.

Map of Navarre

Climate

The north of the province is the spurs of the southern Pyrenees mountains, and the south of Navarre is located on a plateau that is 400-500 meters high. The average in January here is +2.5 degrees, the July temperature on average fluctuates around +20. In general, both the arid climate of the south and the Atlantic coexist on the territory of the province. Tourists usually come here from May to September; this period is considered the peak season. However, please note that the region receives a lot of rainfall, even in summer.

Attractions

In Pamplona, ​​the main attraction is the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in the country. Its construction began in 1390 and was completed almost a century and a half later. The neoclassical style was used in the construction of the facade; the cathedral itself has a museum where a collection of church objects dating from different historical periods is exhibited. The cathedral is also interesting because on one of its 50-meter towers hangs a bell, which is the largest in Spain.

In the capital there is also a museum of the province itself; it stands on the slope of a mountain and occupies a building that once housed a hospital. The halls of the museum present many archaeological finds, among them there are objects from the Middle Ages, paintings, and jewelry.
You can see the fortress church of St. Nicholas; it has strong walls, but a very exquisite interior decoration. In addition, in Pamplona there is an archive building built at the end of the 17th century. The archive stores a variety of valuable historical documents. Another local attraction is the royal palace, which was built in the 19th century. In its throne room there is a portrait of King Ferdinand XVII.

Near the capital there is the village of Olit, where tourists visit the castle, built in the 13th century. Only during the Spanish-French War it suffered greatly, and therefore the building was restored in the late 30s of the last century.

In the north-eastern part of the province you can see the Monastery of Leire, which was mentioned back in the 9th century, as it was an important place during the kingdom of Pamplona-Najera. There are burial places of the first kings of the kingdom.

Also in Pamlon itself it is worth seeing the arena where bullfights are held. The arena can accommodate almost 20,000 spectators. Once a year fights are held here, and at other times there are concerts, performances, and a market for Christmas. Near the arena you will see a monument to Hemingway, since it was this writer who glorified the festival of St. Fermin in one of his novels.

Entertainment and nightlife

Every July, from the 6th to the 14th, the provincial capital hosts the San Fermin festival, during which each participant in the festival will see the running of the bulls through the city. All the action takes place in the center of Pamplona. Those who love extreme sports can run with the bulls. If you want to go to the holiday, then take care of your hotel reservation at least six months in advance, since a lot of tourists come at this time.

The festival ends with a mass in the cathedral, and since the cathedral cannot accommodate everyone, people light candles in the square, which turns it into a sea of ​​fire. As the mass comes to an end, those present sing the festival hymn. An interesting fact is that during the holiday you can rent a place on the balcony of local residents to calmly watch the running of the bulls.

Fans of sports spectacles will appreciate the local football matches that are held at the city stadium.
The capital of Navarre has many cafes and restaurants where you can eat delicious food and drink wine. The cuisine of this area is characterized by rich and picturesque dishes; Spanish wines are also presented in all their diversity.

Car and home rental

There are good road connections throughout the province. If you want to travel around the area on your own, it is better to rent a car immediately at the airport, and from there drive to your first destination. You are required to have a passport, an international driver's license, and a credit card. In addition, the driver must be 21 years old at the time of renting the car. Driving experience must exceed 1 year. The average rental cost is from 1,440 rubles per day. Full payment is made when the car is returned. Usually cash is not accepted and payment is made by credit card.
In addition, in Navarre you can rent an apartment, apartment or guest house. Hotel apartments

The cost, of course, depends on the specific location and the conditions provided. For example, you can rent an apartment for 95 or 120 euros. In a guest house, a room will cost you from 27 euros. Some places allow pets.

Shopping

The provincial capital has many shops and boutiques of different brands, so you can enjoy shopping here to your heart's content. Just don’t forget about the traditional siesta in Spain, when everything is closed, this is the period from 12 o’clock to 4. Olives and different types of cheese, wine and seafood are brought from here. There are good sales in January and July and August when prices are at their lowest. In addition, when leaving the country, you can return VAT for purchased goods.

Navarra wine region

The ancient city of Pamplona, ​​the capital of Navarre, was founded at the beginning of our era by the Romans. Then wines began to be produced here in more or less significant volumes, although grapevines in these places have been cultivated since prehistoric times. Navarrese wines, unlike most similar products produced in what is now Spain, have long been quite popular, including on the other side of the Pyrenees. By the end of the 18th century, they became one of the region's main export products. Navarre, in fact, competed with neighboring Rioja. However, later, the active activity of Bordeaux winemakers made the sale of Navarre wines quite difficult. Then almost all the vineyards were destroyed by phylloxera. Production was gradually restored. Navarra wines reappeared on the international market, and twenty years ago new developments by local winemakers made people talk about themselves more than seriously.

Excellent rosés dominate here, fruity and subtle, some of the most famous Spanish wines of this type, epitomizing the winemaking of Navarra. This region also produces very good red wines - deep, significant, multi-faceted. It is curious that the efforts of Navarrese winemakers to improve the quality of their red wines are perceived by many as a kind of heroism - after all, they are constantly compared with the products of Rioja, their closest neighbor... These wines do have some common features, but they differ in their distinct character. Navarre's dry white wines are less known. Sweet white ones made from late-harvested grapes are quite popular. It is worth saying that very, very many Navarrean wines, combining excellent quality and low prices, are very popular all over the world.

In some ways, most of the wines exported from Navarra are a cross between Rioja and Somontano: they all have a strong oaky flavor and, at the same time, can serve as an illustration of the full range of Spanish and international grape varieties. French oak is used more often in Navarre than in Rioja, perhaps because this method was mastered here much later, in addition, more areas are allocated for French grape varieties. Local wines have a deeper color (at least compared to traditional Rioja). This is probably due to the fact that the grape skins spend more time in the fermentation tanks.

Territory D.O. Navarre is divided into five zones, differing in natural conditions (we can observe a similar situation in Rioja) - climatic, soil, geographical. And, as a result, the wines here are very diverse; Each zone has its own “zest”.

• Ribera Baja ...
• Ribera Alta ...
• ...
• Baja Montana ...

Map:: Navarra wine region

Navarre wine regions

Ribera Alta
A little further north is Ribera Alta, whose climate is similar to Ribera Baja, but slightly milder and rainier, the soils are clay-limestone and alluvial. The red wines here are not as brightly colored and less alcoholic than in Ribera Baja. The area of ​​the vineyards is about 4,000 hectares.

Above them fan out the zones of Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe and Baja Montana, characterized by a much wetter and cooler climate and mountainous terrain.

Tierra Estella
The influence of the Atlantic Ocean is strong here, and when choosing wine produced in these zones, you should pay attention to the year of harvest. Tierra Estella, with approximately 2,000 hectares of vineyards, is famous for its white Chardonnay wines; The red varieties grown here are mainly Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Valdisarbe (about 1000 hectares of vineyards) produces a variety of wines, fine and high-alcohol.

Baja Montana
Baja Montana (almost 3,000 hectares) is best known for its rosé wines from the Garnacha Tinta variety, which have excellent qualities thanks to the properties of the pebble-limestone soils. Although the Garnacha Tinta variety dominates in Navarra, the regulatory Council of the DO Navarra encourages the planting of Tempranillo: there is now a noticeable trend of returning to old traditions and using their heritage. Of the white varieties, the most common is Macabeo; Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Malvasia and Moscatel are less commonly used.

The current Spanish province of Navarre, which has autonomous status, is the southern half of the kingdom of the same name, which existed in the Middle Ages. Spanish Navarre is the so-called Upper Navarre. Another part of the former unified state, Lower Navarre, located on the northern slope of the Pyrenees, is part of France.

Basques in Navarre and their language

Navarre is home to just over 600 thousand people, almost half of whom (47%) are ethnic Basques.

In accordance with a special law of December 15, 1986, Navarre is linguistically divided into 3 zones according to the nature of the distribution of the Basque language: Basque-speaking (with a predominance of the Basque population), mixed and Spanish-speaking. In the first two zones, Basque has official status alongside Spanish, while in the third zone, only Spanish is the official language. The official status of the Basque language presupposes, among other things, the use of Basque toponymy and the right of a citizen to use this language in government bodies (courts, municipal administration, etc.).

A tourist who finds himself in Navarre for the first time should not be surprised that in different regions the same settlement may be called differently on road signs. For example, when heading to the capital of Navarre, Pamplona, ​​you can equally trust the signs reading “Pamplona”, “Iruña” and “Pamplona – Iruña”.

Holidays in Navarre

The history of the ancient kingdom of Navarre is closely connected with its neighbors: France, Castile, Aragon and the Basque Country. In addition, an important factor in the development of the region is the pilgrimage route of St. James, which passes through the territory of the region.

Excursions and holidays in Navarre are becoming increasingly popular every year not only among residents of Spain and France, but also among tourists from other countries, who are attracted by such unique attractions as the castle-palace in Olita, the cathedral in Pamplona, ​​the ancient fortifications of Artajona and its old quarter, the unique Romanesque bridge Puente la Reina. History buffs, especially the Middle Ages, will be delighted by this region of Spain.

Navarre is also famous for active tourism. This historic region of Spain is home to many nature reserves and offers excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, golfing, hiking and eco-tourism. Navarre is also known for its healing springs, such as the thermal resort in the town of Fitero.

Pamplona

The administrative center of Navarre and one of the oldest cities in Spain is Pamplona, ​​which the Basques call Iruña.

Pamplona is famous primarily for its San Fermin festival, which is held annually from July 6 to July 14. Apart from the crazy week when there are almost more visitors to Pamplona than local residents, in normal times it is a cozy and calm city in which many architectural monuments have been preserved that deserve the attention of tourists.

Sights of Pamplona

1. The most striking and world famous attraction of Pamplona is city ​​hall building, built in the 18th century, but has retained only its façade to this day.From the second floor balcony, at exactly noon on July 6th of each year, a signal flare soars into the sky, announcing the beginning of the San Fermin holiday to the participants of the holiday, filling the square in front of the city hall that day. Video footage of this moment is shown on television channels in almost all countries of the world.
2. Cathedral of Saint Mary in Pamplona(1387–1525) built in gothic style on the site of an ancient Romanesque cathedral. Archaeological excavations have confirmed that there were two even more ancient churches on this site.In the Middle Ages, the rulers of Navarre were crowned in the cathedral, and some of them were buried in it.The neoclassical façade of the cathedral was designed by Ventura Rodriguez in 1783. The two towers located on the sides of the cathedral's facade reach a height of 50 meters, the right one houses the largest bell in Spain, weighing about 12 tons.One of the masterpieces of the cathedral is the 13th-century cloister, made in the French Gothic style with rich decoration with sculptures.The interior of the church is also made in the Gothic style. In the temple, attention is drawn to the high windows with beautiful stained glass , some date back to the 16th century, others from a later time.Inside the temple is the mausoleum of King Carlos III and his wife Leonora de Trastamara.
   
   
3. Church of St. Nicholas, built in the 12th century, was the main religious building of the settlement of the same name. One of its tasks in those days was to protect the population from attacks by warlike neighbors.In 1222, during one of the attacks, the old Romanesque church burned down, and in 1231 a new one was erected, retaining thick fortified walls and three towers, of which only one, restored in 1924, has survived.The temple is made in the shape of a Latin cross and has three naves. The altar decorations of the church were dismantled during restoration work in 1982.

Church of Saint Saturnino in the historical part of Pamplona was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style. Previously, there were two predecessor churches on this site.

In the Middle Ages, the temple performed two functions - religious and defensive. At that time the city consisted of three settlements, and this church was located in the parish of St. Sernin (Sernin is the French name of Saturnino), which was inhabited mainly by the French. The settlements were constantly at odds with each other, which is why the church towers had protective battlements that lasted until the 18th century.

In addition to the tower, the church's portico, decorated with Gothic bas-reliefs, as well as its interior, partially made in the Baroque style, stand out. The bells on the tower of the Church of Sant'Saturnino signal the start of the Fiesta of San Fermin.




From the original Church of Saint Lorenzo, built in the central part of Pamplona in the 14th century, practically nothing has survived to this day except the Chapel of San Fermin (San Fermin). Like other ancient churches of Pamplona, ​​it performed defensive functions and was part of the city’s defense system.

The current church building was built by the architect Juan Antonio Pagola in 1805 in the neoclassical style. The original Baroque façade of the building was heavily damaged by shelling during the Carlist wars and was dismantled in 1901 to be replaced by the one that can be seen today.

In the Chapel of San Fermin, built between 1696 and 1717, a statue of the saint, one of the patrons of Pamplona, ​​is kept almost all year round, leaving his monastery only during the days of the famous fiesta named after him.


Pamplona Fortress- a fortification structure shaped like a pentagonal star and erected in the 16th–17th centuries to protect the city. Construction of the fortress began by order of King Philip II in 1571. The main architect of the structure was the military engineer Jacomo Pelearo.In the second half of the 17th and first half of the 18th centuries, changes were made to the design of the fortress in order to strengthen the defensive system.

During its history, the fortress did not take part in any serious military battles; its effectiveness mainly lay in containing discontent on the part of the city's population. But one day Pamplona and its fortress were still forced to let in foreign troops. In 1808, Napoleon's troops under the leadership of D'Armagnac entered Pamplona - the French emperor forced King Carlos to allow his army to cross the Iberian Peninsula in order to conquer Portugal. The French settled in the noble houses of the city, and tension grew between the population and Napoleon's troops. When one of the French soldiers was stabbed to death in a street skirmish, Napoleon ordered D'Armagnac to occupy the Pamplona fortress.

Since 1964, the fortress has lost its military significance. Currently, its territory is used as a picturesque city park, around which there is a walking route called Vuelta de Castillo - around the castle.


Castillo Square- the most important one in the city and is located in its central part. By the end of the 18th century, the square was decorated with a fountain by Louis Paret, popularly called Mariblanca. On the square there is a palace, which is occupied by the government of the autonomy, and the Principal Theater.

In 1859, the Perla Hotel, the oldest in Pamplona, ​​appeared on the square.Between 1880 and 1895, the Iruña casino and cafe buildings were erected on the square, and in 1943 a music kiosk was erected. In 2001 – In 2003, during the construction of an underground parking lot under the square, the remains of Roman baths and a Muslim necropolis with two hundred skeletons, as well as the remains of a medieval wall and a monastery were discovered.




Pamplona is famous for its parks, one of which is Taconera, located in the central part of the city. The territory of the park in some places is limited by ancient stone walls, which were once part of the fortification system of Pamplona.Of particular interest are the entrance gate of St. Nicholas and the monument to the opera singer Julián Gayarre located in the park.

Famous bullring in Pamplonais the second largest in Spain, its stands accommodate more than 19.5 thousand spectators.Bullfights are held here only during the festival of San Fermin - from July 6 to July 14. At the same time, tickets for fights between a man and a bull are reserved a year in advance.During the rest of the year, the arena hosts various performances and concerts. There is also a Christmas market here.

Near the arena there is a monument to the American writer Ernest Hemingway, who glorified the San Fermin festival in his novel “The Sun Also Rises (Fiesta).”

San Fermin - Running of the Bulls in Pamplona

The signal for the beginning of the holiday is the famous “chupinaso” - the launch of a small rocket from the main balcony of the city hall, located in the square, filled to capacity with thousands of people, like all the nearby streets.

Famous far beyond the borders of Spain, the holiday, so vividly described by Ernest Hemingway, is held annually from July 6 to July 14. During this period, the streets are filled with Pamplona residents, visiting Spaniards and foreigners around the clock. The fiesta program includes: the dangerous daily corralling of bulls into stalls, which they try to imitate in some other cities in Spain, evening bullfights, music, a general celebration, food and drink at any time of the day or night. All this is complemented by more relaxed events: performances for children, Basque folklore, exotic performances - everything has a place at this holiday.

According to the most conservative estimates, 250–300 thousand people gather in the old part of Pamplona during San Fermin.

Just like centuries ago, when this holiday originated, the fast running of a small herd of bulls at dawn, the ringing beats of hooves on the cobblestone pavement fascinate eyewitnesses, forcing them to return to Pamplona again and again in July. In a race that not so long ago was attended by only a couple of hundred young people, today thousands of runners take part, dressed in the traditional festive attire of the Pamplonans - white shirt and trousers, red belt and neckerchief.

For many visitors, the morning bull drives are the highlight of San Fermin. Nevertheless, the main component of the holidays is still a series of bullfights held in the evenings.

Long before the start of the holidays, Pamplona is plastered with posters for upcoming bullfights, announcing their participants - breeders of bulls and bullfighters. The arena where bullfights are held was built in 1922, it is the third largest in the world and belongs to the House of Charity, which organizes bullfights for the benefit of those who inhabit it.

Almost everything tickets for 7 bullfights during the 7 main days of San Fermin (July 7-14) are distributed through season tickets, which are usually long sold out. The ticket office sells only minor remnants. However, you can always buy tickets in person, but, of course, at a premium.

Surprisingly, but true: in Pamplona itself there are almost no bullfighting fans. Fans of this type of entertainment come mainly from outside.

One of the special attractions of Pamplona bullfights is the bulls themselves. They are brought from Andalusia or Central Castile, sometimes from the south of Navarre in closed cars. To get to the Pamplona festival, animals travel 500 kilometers or more. In other cities, bulls await the bullfight in stalls in the arena itself. But in Pamplona, ​​the bull stays alternately in three places: the Gas stables (so named because they are located on the site of an old, now disappeared, Gas factory), in small stalls on the street Santo Domingo, where they spend the night before the race, and in the stalls , belonging to the arena from which the bull emerges only to be killed. 48 bulls are slaughtered per week. Experts say that the bulls in Pamplona are very serious and dangerous, falling during the fight less often than others, perhaps because they are carefully selected, and also due to the warm-up during the run on the day of the bullfight.

For those who want to go to this holiday, we have prepared special material.

Olite – French castle in Spain

Once upon a time, on the site of the modern Navarrese city of Olite, there was an ancient settlement founded in the 1st century by the Romans. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a stone wall that surrounded this settlement in those ancient times, and in the historical part of the city you can still see the remains of ancient buildings.

The first mention of Olita dates back to the 7th century. According to the chronicles, in 621 the Visigothic king Svintila opposed the Bascons and founded the fortress of Ologik to keep them submissive. In 1147, King Garcia VI of Navarre granted feudal privileges to the cities of Estella and Olite, and in addition, the townspeople received fertile lands around their settlement for use. Thanks to the granted privileges, the residents of Olite gained self-government and tax breaks, and the city began to flourish.

In the Middle Ages, Olite often served as the residence of the kings of Navarre. At the beginning of the 15th century, Charles III carried out a large-scale reconstruction of the local royal palace. A fortress has existed on this site since ancient times. The old castle was built in the 13th century; after reconstruction, it turned into a magnificent palace, striking in its grandeur and beauty.

The architectural features of this building clearly indicate French influence: the royal palace in Olita is more similar to the castles that are so numerous on the other side of the Pyrenees mountains than to typical Castilian palaces.

Having reached its peak in the 15th century under Charles III, Olite then began to wither and by the 19th century had become a poor provincial town. This was largely due to the war with Napoleon. In 1813, the general and leader of the Spanish resistance, Francisco Espos y Mina, learned of the approach of French troops, burned the royal palace in Olita.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was restored. Although the luxurious interiors and gardens surrounding the palace were irretrievably lost, restorers managed to restore the appearance of the palace, which today attracts numerous tourists from around the world.

Artachona

This medieval settlement is surrounded by walls and watchtowers. There were once 14 such towers, built into a protective wall built in the 12th century, but only 9 of them have survived to this day.

This entire fortification complex is protected by the Church of St. Saturnino, which itself is a small fortress. Built in the 13th century on the ruins of a Romanesque church, this temple was part of a defense system that protected local residents from warlike newcomers. In the 16th century, the temple tower began to be used as... a refrigerator.

Restoration work in Artajona began in the 1970s, but was carried out extremely sluggishly: workers only strengthened those areas of the ruins of the ancient complex that posed a danger to people. A complete restoration of the wall and towers was carried out between 2003 and 2009.

Tudela

This city, quite large by Spanish standards, is known for its numerous attractions. Tourists who come to Tudela, located 94 km from Pamplona, ​​get acquainted with interest with the beautiful Cathedral, built in the Gothic style, four convents, numerous churches built in the XII-XVII centuries, an ancient stone bridge over the Ebro River with 17 arches, local bullring.

Also worthy of attention are the palaces of the Marquises of San Adriana and Huarte, the House of the Admiral, the palace of the Counts of Heredia Spinola and other residential buildings that belonged to the Navarrese nobility.

Castle Javier

Saint Francisco de Javier, patron of Navarre and all Catholic missions, was born on April 7, 1506 in the family castle of Javier, located 70 kilometers from the capital of the autonomy, which at that time was a very strong kingdom. Navarre celebrated the 500th anniversary of the birth of this man with a very rich program of religious, cultural and social events. In particular, Javier Castle was completely restored.

At the age of 19, Francisco de Javier, while studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, met Ignacio Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. Imbued with the ideas of his compatriot, Francisco begins his truly extraordinary religious and human journey.

After joining the Jesuit brotherhood, he decides to devote his life to promoting the Christian religion. In 1541, he boarded a ship in Lisbon and set off on an 11-year journey throughout the East, driven only by his faith and the desire to tell those who had not yet believed about it.

In the saint's homeland of Navarre, thousands of people come every year to Castle Javier from different places to honor his memory. This pilgrimage, which became traditional in the 1940s, takes place in March and is called "Javierada". But the longest pilgrimage was made by the saint himself: in 11 years of travel he covered more than 100,000 km. Here are the main stages of this long journey: Paris (1524–1530), Perignan and Venice (1536), Rome (until 1540), Lisbon - Goa (1541, 13-month journey), Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Abrolhos ( Brazil), Cape of Good Hope, Mozambique, India (1541–1545), Macau (1545–1547), Japan (1549–1551), Macau - China (1552).

Among other attractions of Navarre, the town of Estella, the Church of Santa Maria de Eunate in Murazabala, as well as the monasteries of Leire and Oliva located in the countryside are of particular tourist interest.