Pueyo – Churches, Springs and History in Navarre

Culture

Pueyo stretches along the steep slope of a hill. The medieval Ermita de Santiago crowns the settlement and is also located at its highest point. From there, there are views over the Río Cidacos corridor, as well as towards the route to Tafalla and the Ribera.

The Iglesia de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora is a 13th-century Proto-Gothic building with a single-nave layout, Late Gothic alterations dating from 1625 and a Baroque high altar. The church also preserves a polychrome relief from the 16th century and an ornate stone baptismal font.

The rural Ermita de San Quirico y Santa Julieta has a rectangular layout and a gabled roof with wooden beams. Inside are remnants of a Rococo altarpiece and a holy-water font from the second half of the 18th century. Pueyo also has a Baroque altarpiece made in 1717 by Juan López de Sanmartín, with Solomonic columns; its central niche contains a 17th-century depiction of Santiago.

An archaeological survey on the Aranbero plateau uncovered remains of an ancient wall and houses belonging to a settlement. They provide insights into life in Pueyo around 3,000 years ago. Between 2020 and 2021, a project was carried out in Valdorba to collect its orally transmitted intangible cultural heritage.

Landscape

The Río Cidacos crosses Pueyo from north to south. The landscape consists of several ridges separated by gorges cut into marly-clayey formations; elevations range from 460 to 640 metres.

A medieval ashlar-stone bridge crosses the Río Cidacos. It has both a semicircular arch and a pointed arch.

Routes and Nature

Route 22, “Springs, Viewpoints and History”, is an 11.8-kilometre circular route with a walking time of approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. It begins at Siete Fuentes in Pueyo.

The route leads to four natural springs – Siete Fuentes, Fuente Aranbero, Fuente Valdetina and Fuente Turrustaldia – as well as two panoramic viewpoints and several places of historical significance.

On Route 22, the path climbs to the viewpoint at the Ermita de Santiago. From there, the “Montes de Valdorba” area, which is particularly important for conservation, can be seen.

On the western side of Pueyo, a walk leads through beautiful oak and pine forests surrounded by large grain fields. A new information point about Pueyo’s natural environment was inaugurated at Corral de Arambero.

Festivals

Pueyo’s patron-saint festivities in honour of Saint James take place on 25 July. The programme includes a climb to the Ermita de Santiago with ALAI TALDEA and the Comparsa de Cabezudos, followed by a mass in honour of the patron saint.

Getting There

Pueyo is connected via the N-121 road to Pamplona, Tafalla and other major towns in the Chartered Community of Navarre. The A-15 motorway runs parallel to the N-121 and has exit 56 at Pueyo.

Other Places

Other places you can explore: Aspurz, Galar, Roncal, Dicastillo, Riezu, Villanueva de Arce, Legaria, Aribe.

To the main travel overview: Navarre.