Introduction

Overview

Even if you haven’t heard of Navarra, you will almost certainly have heard of its famous San Fermines fiestas and the bull runs. However Navarra has a lot more to offer than just these fiestas: culture and tradition; history; magic and witchcraft; wines and excellent food and a landscape full of contrast - waiting to be discovered. Navarra became one of the first independent Christian kingdoms at the end of the 8th Century as a result of the conquest of the Iberian Peninsular by the Arab and Moslem armies. After centuries of war and the fall of Granada (1492) a process of unification followed and in 1515 Navarra, the last independent kingdom, was incorporated into the Kingdom of Castille, but was given a municipal charter which recognised Navarra’s laws and customs. Today Navarra’s independence is assured by its status as an Autonomous Community with a high degree of self rule and its own parliament with economic, legislative and administrative jurisdiction.

Fact File

Capital: Pamplona is the region’s capital. It was founded in 75BC and as well as being the biggest town in Navarra, it is also the seat of government.

Mountains: Navarra has a border to the north with France; the Pyrenees are a fabulous geographic frontier, which offer a beautiful natural backdrop of woods, valleys and rivers for a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Language: There are two official languages of Navarra: Castilian Spanish (castellano) and el Vascuence (spoken mostly in the north-eastern area of the region)
Population: 543,000 inhabitants, (which gives a population density of 52 inhabitants per square kilometre and is about 1.3% of Spain’s total 41m). The majority of this figure lives in one of the two main cities - Pamplona and Tudela. Of the 900 villages and towns, 60% have fewer than 100 inhabitants.
Size: 10,421sq km. 2% of Spain.

Don’t go home without:

Visiting
• The typical local fiestas where everyone is welcome
• Pamplona Cathedral. This is one of the crucial staging posts in the Camino de Santiago, as well as being - together with the surrounding area - one of the most historical spots of the city
• Lovers of art can enjoy all the churches, convents, palaces and monuments found along the route of the Camino de Santiago as it crosses Navarra. Don’t miss the “Basílica de Roncesvalles”, where the mythical death of Roldan took place and Charlemagne’s armies were defeated.
• The Forest of Irati “Selva de Iratí” – one of the biggest and most beautiful woods in Europe. If you’re lucky enough to go in autumn, you’ll be stunned by the forest’s extensive palette of colours.

• The town of Olite whose beautiful and historical castle has been declared “a National Monument”. Olite also gives its name to one of Navarra’s denominaciónes de origin (similar to the French appellation contrôlée)

Trying
• The most typical food: from Navarra’s orchards – for example the famed asparagus and piquant peppers (Pimientos del Piquillo), or trout done in Navarra style, without forgetting its excellent meats
• The famous wines with the DO. Vinos de Navarra (appellation contrôlée)

People watching
• The txapela, is a traditional beret that has been worn by men to cover their heads. It can still be found in use in some of the Pyrenean villages – see how many different ways you can see it being worn!
• The bull runners in the San Fermines. The media coverage of this fiesta has made the traditional costume a recognisable sight worldwide: the beret, the neck scarf, the sash round the waist (all in red – the colour of the Navarra flag!) and the trousers and shirt in a spotless white. Have a look on this website (Spanish only) that is counting us down to the next San Fermines: http://www.sanferminonline.net/
• The game of pelota or Jai Alai is a very popular sport. It’s played on frontón courts, of which there’s one in every village in Navarra. You use your hand or a special wooden racket or sometimes even long, pointed nets.

With thanks to:
Iboff for permission to use his photo of Pamplona
Miguel Angel Ilzarbe for permission to use his photo of Irati

With thanks to Miguel Angel Ilzarbe for writing this guide