Corella between Baroque Art and Nature

In Corella, the main altar of the Parish Church of San Miguel was created by Juan Antonio Gutiérrez between 1718 and 1722. José Saénz de Inestrillas gilded it and added decorative and structural Rococo elements in 1790. The Parish Church of San Miguel itself was built in the 15th century next to the Puerta de Alfaro outside the city walls and is the oldest church in the city. Later extensions and renovations up to the 18th century made it an important example of Navarrese Baroque.

Culture

The Parish Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario was consecrated in 1546. Its main altar was created between 1671 and 1679 by the sculptor Sebastián de Sola y Calahorra and contains paintings by Vicente Berdusán depicting the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

The Museum of Sacred Art is housed in a Baroque monastery building that was constructed for Benedictine nuns from 1659 onwards and converted into a museum in the 1970s following a minor renovation. The collection includes paintings by Ximénez Donoso from the mid-17th century, valuable silverwork and a diverse collection open to visitors. The official free guided tours of Corella's historical heritage take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m.; the meeting point is the Museum of Sacred Art. Groups can visit the museum by prior arrangement.

Walking Tours

The “Parroquias y Conventos” route showcases churches and monastic complexes built in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries and later remodelled according to Baroque design schemes. “Hidalga y Barroca” leads through the picturesque streets of Corella, where numerous noble residences with heraldic decoration and predominantly Baroque architecture can be seen.

Nature

Estanquilla has a more distinctly Mediterranean ecosystem in a more clay-rich setting, with stone pines and tamarisks along its banks, and provides a habitat for waterfowl and other animal species. Fishing, running, use of a fitness trail and walks are possible at the Estanca.

The Estanca is a natural area of great interest, with diverse vegetation and abundant wildlife. It is home to mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The thousand-year-old holm oaks in La Dehesilla were declared Natural Monument No. 4 of Navarre in 1991 because of their exceptional character, age and ecological value.

A stork observation centre is located in the river valley near Corella, from which a colony of more than 200 storks can be observed. A signposted archaeological trail passes the archaeological sites of the abandoned settlement of Araciel and La Torrecilla.

Other Places

Cintruénigo, San Martín De Unx, Berriozar, Villanueva De Aezkoa, Lumbier, Muneta, Bakaiku and Arguedas

Events

The “Jornadas barrocas” is a weekend programme featuring performances, markets and period activities celebrating the city's Baroque heritage. The Holy Week procession in Corella has been documented since 1710 and was recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Information and Tourism in 1967 as a procession of tourist interest. The building known as the Casa de las Cadenas housed Philip V, Maria Luisa of Savoy and Prince Luis for several months from 14 June 1711.

To the higher-level travel overview: Navarre.