The best traffic-free bike rides around Artazu

Santa Maria de Eunate A modest little church, yet shrouded in mystery and of rare elegance and harmony. On the Camino de Santiago in the hills lies the octagonal church with a small apse, built in the 12th century. Around it runs an also octagonal arcaded gallery with pillars and double columns. The whole complex is surrounded by a wall. The purpose of this gallery is not yet clear today. Outside the walls, graves of pilgrims with scallop shells were found, which suggests that it was also a cemetery chapel. A document also mentions a hospital of the Order of St. John, which is said to have been located in the vicinity. A legend also tells that it is a replica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and belonged to the Knights Templar.

We loved the town of Estella! Very welcoming ♥

At the general audience on June 21, 2006, the then Holy Father briefly summarized two biblically recorded events that describe the special position of James the Greater, the patron saint of this church, among the disciples: + "He was privileged, along with Peter and John, to participate in the hour of Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and in the event of Jesus' Transfiguration. (...) In the first instance, James, together with the other two apostles, experiences the glory of the Lord; he sees him speaking with Moses and Elijah; he sees the splendor of divine glory shining in Jesus; in the other instance, he faces suffering and humiliation; he sees with his own eyes how the Son of God humbles himself and is obedient to the point of death. The second experience was certainly an opportunity for him to mature in faith and to correct the one-sided, triumphalist interpretation of the first experience: He had to recognize that the Messiah, awaited by the Jewish people as a triumphant leader, was in reality not only full of honor and glory. surrounded not only by suffering, but also by suffering and weakness. The glory of Christ is realized precisely on the cross, in sharing in our sufferings." (Pope Benedict XVI)

Gothic House Gothic house from the end of the 15th century, which is notable for the enormous pointed doorway with a moulded ring and large voussoirs, on the keystone of which a quartered coat of arms is engraved, on the first and fourth floors, three bands with wolves inscribed on them, and on the second and third floors, panels. On the second floor, there are three pairs of twinned windows, with semicircular arches, with second lobed arches with balls and ogees. The wooden eaves that crown the building are notable.

wrong name - the Romanesque church is called Santa María de Eunate

Santa María de Eunate is a Romanesque church on the Aragonese branch of the Way of St. James in Navarre. The church was built at the end of the 12th century in the Romanesque style with Mozarabic influences. The octagonal design is a reference to the Templars. There used to be a hospice here that belonged to the Order of St. John and today it is a hostel for pilgrims.

The Church of Santiago in Puente la Reina, also known as the Church of Santiago el Mayor, is a historical and architectural gem. This parish church originally dates back to the 12th century, but most of what you see today dates back to the 16th century after extensive reconstruction. One of its most striking features is the late Romanesque entrance, which was preserved during later renovations. Inside you will find a special statue, known as the Black Santiago.

The Iglesia del Crucifijo in Puente la Reina is a fascinating historical monument deeply rooted in the history of the Camino de Santiago. Originally built in the 12th century by the Knights Templar, the church was later taken over by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The church consists of two different naves: a Romanesque one from the 12th century and a Gothic one that was added later. What makes this church really special is the impressive Gothic crucifix in the shape of a “Y”, one of the most remarkable Gothic sculptures in Spain.