Estella-Lizarra on the Way of St. James: Romanesque Architecture and Holiday Apartment

Estella-Lizarra is considered a typical town on the Way of St. James. Its development was shaped by the commercial growth along the route to Santiago. Those planning a holiday apartment here can explore the town through its history, architecture, art collection and trails.

Culture

The present-day church of Santa María Jus del Castillo is a single-nave Romanesque building dating from the late 12th or early 13th century. It stands on the site of a former synagogue in the Jewish quarter of Elgacena. Inside the Iglesia de San Pedro de la Rúa are architectural forms whose origins date back to the last quarter of the 12th century. Its preserved capitals form one of the most significant ensembles of Late Romanesque art in Navarre.

The Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra, also known as the Palacio de los Duques de Granada de Ega, is considered the most important example of civil Romanesque architecture in Navarre and was built in the second half of the 12th century. Since 1991, it has housed the artistic legacy of Gustavo de Maeztu (1887–1947) and is now used as the Museo Gustavo de Maeztu. The museum displays works from all phases of the painter’s career. On view are drawings, etchings, lithographs and encaustic paintings that reflect the creative process behind Gustavo de Maeztu’s works.

The patronal festivals of Estella-Lizarra are also rooted in religion: they are celebrated in honour of Saint Andrew and the Virgen del Puy. They include the Baile de la Era, which takes place regularly in the Plaza de los Fueros in the early hours of the morning on each day of the festival. Architecture, the museum and festival traditions can be viewed as different cultural focal points.

Trails

The Vía Verde del Ferrocarril Vasco-Navarro follows the former railway line of the “Trenico”, which connected Estella-Lizarra with Gipuzkoa via Vitoria-Gasteiz from 1927 to 1967. A 3 km section of this Vía Verde runs through the urban area of Estella-Lizarra along the River Ega, following the route of the former railway there. Estella-Lizarra is also one of the starting points of the 123.5 km-long, linear Vía Verde del Vasco Navarro.

For road access, the Autovía del Camino (A-12) is the most important connection from Estella-Lizarra to Pamplona and Logroño. The centre of Estella-Lizarra can be reached by scheduled buses from Pamplona, Logroño, San Sebastián, Zaragoza and other places in the region. The urban section and the linear route as a whole represent different route formats for personal day planning; car and bus connections also offer two clearly named ways of travelling to the destination.

Local Character

One of Estella-Lizarra’s dishes is Gorrín asado, roast suckling pig. The combination of the Way of St. James, Romanesque architecture, painting, festivals and trail history opens up several thematic approaches that you can weigh separately when planning.

When comparing holiday apartments in Estella-Lizarra, check your travel dates, the stated room category and the respective cancellation conditions on the offer pages; this keeps the specific terms of the selected offer visible.

Further destinations: Aizpún, Sorlada, Esteríbar, Fontellas, Artajona, Murillo El Fruto, Cirauqui, Tiebas-Muruarte de Reta

For the overarching travel overview: Navarre.