Pamplona-Iluca is a city full of history and rich traditions

Spanish Pyrenees Hike ~ Navarra Located on the fertile plains of the Arga River. In the streets and squares of the Old Town you’ll find a range of striking landmarks, most notably the churches and the medieval city walls. Pamplona-Iruca is a city where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony. One theory is that around 1000 BC, the Basques (Vascones) established an early settlement beneath the present-day city, which they called Iruña, which means "city" in Basque. Later, in 75 BC, the Roman general Pompey founded the city of Pompeii. The city grew in importance with the establishment of the Kingdom of Pamplona-Iruca in the 10th century AD. During the reign of Sancho III the Magnificent (11th century), the current route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage passed through Navarre, a development that shaped the city’s urban landscape and the course of its history. A visit to the capital of Navarra begins with a visit to the Pamplona-Iruca district, a group of neighborhoods with medieval origins that formed the basis of the current city center. The site of the present-day town hall was the site of the old Jewish quarter, which resulted in the amalgamation of three settlements. The town hall was built in 1752 and its stately Baroque facade still stands today. Next to the Town Hall you can admire the Gothic Church of San Saturnino or the Church of San Sernin, both built in the 13th century. Its two towers were formerly topped with battlements, indicating its former defensive function. Above the ancient cloister stands the Baroque church of Our Lady of Camino, the co-patron saint of the city. Pamplona Old Town is a great place to try the various Navarran cuisines. In any of the restaurants you can taste classic products from rural Navarra – like asparagus, picchilo peppers and beans. Lamb, either grilled or served with chilindrón sauce, is the most representative dish, always accompanied by a good wine with the Navarra designation of origin and finished with pacharán (a traditional anise-flavored liqueur) as dessert. To get to know Pamplona-Iruca and its inhabitants in full festive spirit, it is essential to visit the city during the San Fermin Festival (July 6-14), which is declared an International Tourist Attraction. One of the main attractions of these patron saint festivals is the running of the bulls (a tradition in which people run in front of bulls), which starts at the Obelisk of Santo Domingo and continues along Mercaderes Street, turns to Estafeta Street and ends at the bullring. However, it is best to be in good shape before participating and take certain precautions, such as entering only through designated entrances and running only part of the route to avoid angering the bulls. During the festive period, it is very important to book your accommodation in advance. Parador Príncipe de Viana is located in the historic medieval town of Olite, 45 km from the capital of Navarra. The hotel is located next to a 15th century palace castle, which has been declared a national monument for its famous towers and battlements. #AprilDestinations2025 #SpainTravel