Visit Navarre It’s more than just seeing Pamplona. It is true that visiting the capital is important to know a territory, but cities, mountains and forests It is vital to receive the full cultural experience of the region. On many occasions, the true story of the region is hidden in these small towns.
Olitefor example, is one of those cities that offer a lot of history in Navarre. This municipality of more than 4,000 inhabitants is located at 42 km south of Pamplona and 51 km north of TudelaEvery year it receives thousands of visitors and is one of the most visited cities in the Autonomous Community.
Thanks to a series of archaeological remainsyou can know that the story of Olite begins around the 1st century. At that time it was erected a wall around a small Roman colony. In the same century, the Gothic king Suintila founded ancient Olite, with a greater fortification to defend against the Basques.
In 1147the Navarrese king Garcia IV Ramirez the Restorer awarded Olite its first jurisdictionthe Fuero of the Franks of Estella, offering them agricultural land for the same occasion. After dark centuries, the city of Olite begins a stadium of splendor at the end of the Middle Ages. It became a very relevant population and, from the 15th century, King Charles III the Noble began construction of the Royal Palace of Navarre in Olite.
Throughout the Middle Ages, presence of the Jewish community in Olite. It had its own neighborhood, “the Jewish quarter”, on the inner fence, and the existence of a synagogue. Some families have remained in Olite for generations, but there are also Jews who come other places from Navarre, Castile and even several French people.
In OliteIts most remarkable monument is the Palace of the Kings of Navarreknown as Olite Castle. As mentioned above, this palace was built in the 15th century by the hand of Charles III the Noble. Its main attraction is messy arrangementwhich is due to the numerous extensions made over time.
Another very important building in this city is the Church of Santa Maria La Real. This construction is Gothic style and was started during the first third of the 13th century and was completed at the beginning of the 14th century. Its façade, portal and Renaissance altarpiece are the the elements that stand out the most.
But Olite has also hidden buildings of the core of its population. The Hermitage of Santa Brigida is located at 5 km from the city centersurrounded by trees. It is not known exactly when it was built or why it was dedicated to Saint Bridget, although in 1283 it was written a document who mentions it.
THE hermitage suitable for proto-gothic models of approx. year 1200 and inside there is a Baroque altarpiece from the end of the 17th century It houses the image of Saint Bridget seated. It also served as a lazaretto during the Black Deathconfining foreigners and affected persons.
To visit the Hermitage of Santa Brigidayou have to roll on the NA-6620 highway from Olite and go up a secondary road. The guided tours last about one hour and they cost 5 euros per person.
