Old towns of Navarre Spain

Day 27 Spain 3

Travelled: 127km from Lumbier to Javier, Sanguesa, Gallipienzo, Ujue, Olite and then to 

Stay: Andion near Mendigorria, shady parking (42.5980, -1.8617)  in the middle of nowhere.

So after our morning coffee and birthday wishes to our son, we were on our way again. First stop was only a few k’s away at some Roman ruins of a village that they think was here for 300years from 100AD. It also had a view of the gorge we walked through yesterday. 

Another 15mins away was the castle of Javier, where Saint Francis Xavier was born. He was a missionary Saint who traveled extensively

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Nearby was the town of Sanguesa, which holds a strategic border position between the foothills of the Pyrenees and the Ebro Valley. It is also an important stop along the Compostela walk. We made our way to the towns greatest treasure, the church of Saint Maria. Built in the 12thC. 

We were wowed by the altar piece.  

We strolled back along the Calle Mayor and passed several palaces reflecting its importance. 

We deviated off the N132 to Gallipienzo, a medieval village perched high above the Aragon river with 2 distinct churches.

After yesterday’s experience of narrow roads, we took Park4nights’s advice and parked just before entering the village.

We made our way up the hill enjoying the amazing views.

We also had to be careful walking along the extremely un level cobbled alleyways. Unfortunately the churches were locked. 

Another deviation off the N132 took us to Ujue, situated on a high spur at the end of a windy road.

Once again we parked just before the village and walked up to the very impressive Santa Maria. We were fortunate that a mass had just finished and we were able to have a quick look inside before they locked the doors.

Then we admired the wonderful views from the ruined fortifications.

We made our back through he windy alleys and stopped at one of the restaurants to have our first cerveza  for this trip. 

Not far away was Olite, a historic town founded also by the Roman’s and later chosen as a royal residence by the kings of Navarre. The evidence of this could clearly be seen as we approached.

We paid €3.50 each to enter the magnificent 15thC castle that was restored in 1937. We were taken through the chambers of the King and Queen. Then we climbed up and down of the various towers and turrets offering some great views of the castle, the town and the surrounding area. 

We then walked through the main square and along narrow streets back to Bluey.

We dumped and filled and then decided it was too hot to stay so we picked a spot along the way to our next destination and took off. We felt we were on a road to nowhere but the we arrived and the area was full of locals enjoying a shady picnic area with a soccer pitch and volleyball court next to what looks like a church/monastery and an ancient site. Even a ice-cream van came by… as the evening drew on the cars began to leave and hopefully we will have a peaceful night under the trees…