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| Bardenas Reales, Southeast Navarre |
The autonomous community of Navarre, in Spanish Navarra, is a uni-provincial landlocked community covering an area of 10,391km2. Bordering to the Basque Country in the north, Basque is widely spoken, especially in the northeast, close to the province of Gipuzkoa. Basque is on the increase, and more than a quarter of the population in Navarra claim to have at least some knowledge of this unique language. Spanish is still the predominant language, and the mother tongue of over 80% of the population. About 650,000 people live in Navarre, of whom 210,000 reside in the capital Pamplona. Pamplona is also known by its Basque name Iruña.
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| Ayuntamiento, Pamplona |
Pamplona´s most famous landmarks include the Portal de France, Plaza de Castillo, and also the bullring. The city comes alive every year for the San Fermín festival, arguably the
most famous annual celebration in Spain. Las fiestas de San Fermín consists of young men running with bulls inside an enclosure leading into the bull fighting arena. It also includes a religious procession in honor of the saint Fermin. The San Fermin festival takes place every year from 6 June to 14 June. It starts at noon with the chupinazo, fireworks, in front of the Ayuntamiento, city hall building.
Navarre is situated between the Green Spain to the north and the drier inland plateau. The landscapes therefore change dramatically from the lush green mountains in the Valley of Belagua to the unique semi-desert badlands of Bardenas Reales. Navarre's varied landscapes offer ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.
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| Valley of Belagua, Navarran Pyrenees |
The valley of Belagua in the municipality of Isaba is the only glacial valley in Navarre. It lies at an altitude of 1,100 metres near the Rincón de Belagua, with many surrounding mountain peaks, the highest being the Mesa de los Tres Reyes, at 2,428metres. The vast valley offers ample opportunities for hiking.
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| Foz de Lumbier |
Further to the south, near the village of Lumbier is the gorge, Lumbier Canyon, or Foz de Lumbier. Walking into the gorge along the banks of the Irati river is a less arduous undertaking. The trail is paved and little more than 5 kilometres in length (3 miles), but nonetheless offers visitors a spectacular experience of natural scenery and a chance to watch local wildlife, in particular vultures gliding over the gorge.
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| Royal Palace of Olite |
Apart from its varied landscape, Navarre is also rich in history and has some of the most beautiful rural villages in Spain. Worth mentioning is Olite, with its Royal Palace, a testament to the medieval time when Navarra was a kingdom in its own right. Other stunning villages include Roncesvalles with its many historic buildings, and the peculiar, secluded Ujué, with its densely nestled old houses banked on a winding road up the hilltop to the sanctuary-fortress Santa María de Ujué on top. The sanctuary is an important place of worship as well as offering spectucular views of the Navarran Pyrenees. There is also the quaint village of Elizondo, traversed by the Baztan river, or the Puente de la Reina, a small village named after its medieval bridge. It is crossed by many pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
Festivals
The Festival of San Fermin, Navarra (June)
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| Calle Carmen, Pamblona |
In the northern town of Pamblona in Navarra, you can find what must be the most famous annual celebration in Spain, "Las fiestas de San Fermín". The celebration consists of young men running with bulls inside an enclosure leading into the bull fighting arena. It also includes a religious procession in honor of the saint Fermin. The San Fermin festival takes place every year from 6 June to 14 June.
Food
Pimiento de piquillo relleno
Pimiento de piquillo, or piquillo pepper, is a type of chili with a sweet taste. Pimiento de piquillo relleno are stuffed peppers, usually with bacalao (codfish), but they could also be stuffed with shrimp, rice and even meat. They are quite popular, especially in the North, and around Christmas.
Huevos carlistas
This specialty from Navarra consists of breaded eggs with bechamel. It is quite fatty, but very rich in taste. It is sometimes served with a salad, or on top of slices of jamón serrano.
