Olite - Ujué

One of Navarre’s foremost tourist landmarks is Olite castle, a profusion of Gothic architecture. Light-flooded halls, crenelated towers aplenty, beautiful courtyards and opulence everywhere you look. All flanked by a small town that is a joy to behold. Particularly during its mediaeval festival in the summer. And remember that whenever you come, you must try the local wines and muscats; you’re sure to want to repeat the experience!

Another picture postcard village is Ujué; narrow cobbled streets lined with stone houses, the Sanctuary-fortress of Santa María de Ujué at the top of the hill and amazing views of both the Ribera and the Pyrenees.

And no less important, its migas de pastor (shepherd’s breadcrumbs) served on a brazier; they’re the real thing! And San Martin de Unx is a nearby village with a church crypt well worth visiting.

This glorious era has left us several interesting relics in this area. First of all, you have the Cerco de Artajona, a mediaeval fortification with nine towers and a church whose roof resembles a dragon’s back which you can take a guided tour of if you want to climb up; from there you have a great view of this pretty village. And then there’s the Monastery of La Oliva, home to some twenty white-robed monks, with its Cistercian church, Gothic cloister and chapter house. And finally, the small Romanesque churches in La Valdorba.

And if your love of the ancient is pure devotion, between Olite and Estella-Lizarra you can find the Iron Age archaeological site of Las Eretas, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, and two Roman archaeological sites, each with a museum: Arellano, with its spectacular Mosaic of the Muses, and Andelos, where you can see the complex water system the Romans used. And if from Olite you head south, you’ll come across the mediaeval walled settlement of Rada, just a stone’s throw from Bardenas Reales