Marcilla: Castle, Monastery and Steppe Landscape

The Castillo de Marcilla was built in the 15th century by Mosén Pierres de Peralta and served as a palatial residence for the Marquises of Falces. It is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest and has been owned by the Government of Navarre since 1976.

Culture

The historical exhibition at the Castillo de Marcilla explains the dynastic conflict that shook Navarre in the 15th century in three thematic sections. Restoration work on the Castillo lasted from December 2008 to April 2012. Guided tours take place on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 12 noon; throughout the year, occasional theatrical tours are also held there.

The Ermita de la Virgen del Plú is located in the old town of Marcilla. Its existence has been documented since 1474, while the building was rebuilt in the 17th century. The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a three-bay nave and a semicircular apse. The nave is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes; a lantern was inserted in the transept, and the apse has a modern quarter-sphere vault.

The Monasterio de Santa María, the Convento de Agustinos Recoletos, is a brick complex built in the last quarter of the 18th century in the Baroque-Classical style, with a centrally located church and a cloister. The museum of the Monasterio de Santa María, the Convento de Agustinos Recoletos, features a permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions. The complex's library, specialising in ecclesiastical sciences, contains more than 50,000 volumes.

Trails and Nature

The Camino Verde RAN passes through Marcilla. It connects Marcilla, Funes, Peralta and Falces; many of its sections run through the so-called “Territorio Visón”. A section of the Camino de la Veracrúz also passes through Marcilla.

The Paso de los Cortados runs along the right bank of the Río Aragón and offers views of the clay cliffs along the river, as well as opportunities to observe birds of prey. The walk through La Planilla leads through a distinctive steppe landscape where several endangered bird species can be observed.

The walk to the Mirador leads through the Montico, crossing areas that have been reforested in recent years, and ends at a viewpoint overlooking the Río Aragón. A walk leads to the Laguna de la Isla, a well-maintained wetland on the river that is part of the Life Visón project.

The Humedal de la Isla, also known as La laguna, is Marcilla's most important wetland on the Río Aragón. The cereal steppe described around Marcilla is suitable for steppe birds, including great bustards, Dupont's larks, sandgrouse, little bustards and stone-curlews.

Other Places

Other places to choose from besides Marcilla include Lodosa, Huarte, Etxauri, Villanueva de Arce, Villanueva De Aezkoa, Falces, Iruñela and Cizur Menor.

For the overview of the wider travel destination: Navarre.