At the Northern tip of Spain near the border of France, Navarra has preserved numerous demonstrations of the role that its strategic location has allowed it to play in the past.  It has a beautiful mountainous area and number of cities worthy of valuable mentioning.

Visit: Pamplona, La Barunda Valley, Estella, and Palace of the kings of Navarre

Pamplona is the capital of the province. It is well known for San Fermín, the entertaining, boisterous fiestas that take place in July.  Even though most visitors come during the San Fermín, there is a whole city to explore.  There are many small towns and villages in which a visitor can be captivated.

La Barunda valley is an important center of communications. Its Hermitage of San Pedro seems to have been the site of the coronation of Garcia Jimenez, the first king of Navarre. In the Aralar Sierra lies the Sanctuary of San Miguel in Excelsis, from where there is a magnificent view. One of the oldest places in Navarre is Sanguesa. It lies near the river Aragon, and especially noteworthy are the towers of Santa Maria's with its lovely Romanesque portal as well as some palaces.

Estella is a place with Roman traces and full of medieval history. It is a first-rate tourist center and has many lovely buildings such as the San Pedro de la Rua's with its Romanesque portal, San Miguel's, the Gothic Church of El Santo Sepulcro and San Juan Bautista's.

The Palace of the kings of Navarre is a magnificent example of civil Romanesque architecture, and the Gustavo de Maeztu Museum, which houses most of the artist's paintings.  Olite occupies a special place in history of Navarre.  Its superb Gothic palace was a royal residence and the Church of Santa Maria la Real is also magnificent.  San Pedro's is interesting, too.  It has an extraordinary tower with an elegant spire and a Romanesque portal.  Near Olite there is Tafalla on the banks of the river Cidacos, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.  Two churches are worthy of a visit: Santa Maria's with a main retable carved by Juan de Ancheta, and that of the convent of the nuns of the Immaculate Conception.