Kingdom of Navarre. Land of diversity

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Navarre is the northern 'gate' of the Way of St. James. The three main routes in Europe (the Via Turonense, which started in Paris, the Via Lemovicense, from Vezelay, and the Via Podense, which began in Le Puy) join in the nearby French locality of Ostabat and enter Navarre at Luzaide/Valcarlos, a pretty border town in the Pyrenean valleys.

The route climbs up to the Ibañeta pass, on whose summit is a new hermitage dedicated to San Salvador and the monument to Roldán (Roland) and a monolith commemorating the Battle of Roncesvalles, in which Charlemagne's troops were defeated by the Vascons in 778.

Going over the Ibañeta pass southwards you reach the Collegiate Church of Orreaga/Roncesvalles, which was built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Its outstanding feature is the church of Santa María with its beautiful Gothic wood carving of the Virgin Mary and its 17th-century cloister, the chapel of the Holy Spirit, the 12th-century 'Charlemagne's silo' or the church of Santiago (St James)

Going south the Pilgrim's Way passes through the delightful Pyrenean villages of Auritz/Burguete and Aurizberri/Espinal, with their imposing and well-kept houses.

Approaching Pamplona, we find a medieval bridge, basilica and hospital-inn of the Holy Trinity at Arre, and the road then leads on to Villava and Burlada as far as Pamplona. You enter the Old Part of the city across the beautiful bridge of La Magdalena and the Portal (gate) de Francia (also known as Zumalacárregui after a Carlist general) at the feet of the restored city walls.

Gastronomy
This area of the Navarrese Pyrenees offers the visitor varied cuisine, the highlights being game, beef and lamb dishes, patés and desserts such as cheese or cuajada (junket).

Events
One of the traditions of Luzaide/Valcarlos is the dance of the bolantes, which is held on the first Sunday of Easter. The dancers interpret spectacular and acrobatic hundred-year-old dances dressed in striking clothes.

Romerías (popular pilgrimages) to Orreaga/Roncesvalles, which are always held on Sundays, date from the 12th century. In Spring every year the Collegiate Church welcomes pilgrims from the northern side of the Pyrenees, Luzaide/Valcarlos, the valleys of Erro, Arce, Oroz Betelu and Aezkoa, and Pamplona.

Villages such as Auritz/Burguete and Aurizberri/Espinal have preserved ancient traditions such as the bonfires of San Juan (June 23rd) or a food fair in September.

In Sorogain a traditional ceremony of livestock branding is held in May and September that brings people from both sides of the border together in an excellent festive atmosphere.