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Ujué

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Ujué - Calles de Ujué.
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Ujué - Migas de pastor
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Ujué
Lost up on the heights of a plateau with no rivers to refresh it and no trees to shelter it, seemingly intoxicated with its solitude, stands Ujué, a delightful medieval village of narrow streets that climb steeply upwards to reach, at the top, the Sanctuary-Fortress of Santa Maria de Ujué.

Located in the Central Zone, Ujué is one of the most important places of worship in Navarre and a spectacular lookout point over the Pyrenees and riverside plains.

The Sanctuary, a national monument, is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in Navarre, and is at the centre of a beautiful legend.

On your journey, lose yourself in the maze-like layout of this tiny village of just 300 inhabitants; stroll slowly along its cobbled streets and don't miss the opportunity to try the delicious migas de pastor ('shepherd's breadcrumbs'). There are very few places that make them like they do in Ujué.

Standing in the eastern half of Navarre and dominated by the mountain range of the same name, Ujué is a tiny village with a medieval and mountain atmosphere set right at the top of a plateau at an altitude of 840 metres above sea level.

The origins of Ujué are unclear. Although the first evidence that there was a settlement here dates back to Roman times, the town as such emerged at the end of the eighth century or beginning of the ninth century when the first King of Pamplona, Iñigo Arista, built a fortress to stop the advance of Islam.

However, legend tells that a shepherd spotted a dove that was flying in and out of a hole in a rocky outcrop; on entering the cave he discovered an image of the Virgin and Child and the local people interpreted it as a sign from the virgin to establish her resting place there, and thus the town of Ujué was born.

The whole place is an exceptional example of a medieval village. It stands on a steeply sloping mound down which the town descends in terraces until at the bottom the village widens out in a labyrinth-type layout. The ancient-looking façades of the houses have huge doorways and the mansions, some baroque and others with a more orthodox character, are ennobled by great coats of arms.

Strolling along its steep, narrow cobbled streets is a delightful experience that will lead you to discover hidden corners with fascinating views. At the highest part stands the sanctuary-fortress of Santa Maria, whose construction lasted for centuries. On top of a pre-Romanesque church another Romanesque building was built (11th-13th centuries) and in the fourteenth century the broad Gothic nave was built and the church was surrounded with walkways and castellated towers. There are currently still two towers remaining, Cuatro Vientos (Four Winds) and Picos (Peaks) which give more of an impression of a fortress than a sanctuary.

Inside the church, which has one of the most richly decorated doors in Navarrese Gothic architecture, you can admire a gilded chalice with enamelling, while the Baroque pulpit dates from the 18th century and the ornate Rococo stalls from 1774. Behind an iron Gothic grille you can see a beautiful carving of the Virgin, dating from 1190, covered in silver with enamelled badges and bas-relief medallions. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful examples of Navarrese Romanesque sculpture. To the side, in a display cabinet, lies the heart of the king who fortified the sanctuary in the fourteenth century, Charles II "el Malo", thus named by his French enemies, about whom it is said that he tried to kill the Kings of Castile and France.

After the visit, if you fancy treating your taste-buds you can sample the caramelised almonds and traditional migas de pastor, made from farmhouse breadcrumbs, water, salt and sheep's tallow.

If you are interested in popular traditions, don't miss the procession on the Sunday following 25thApril in which pilgrims from Tafalla, Olite, Pitillas and other towns in the area, dressed in black tunics and hoods, drag along chains and carry heavy crosses.

Did you know that...?

  • Ujué is part of the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain.
  • The Virgin of Ujué is revered by the inhabitants of Tafalla and surrounding towns, and one of the oldest and most moving Marian pilgrimages in Navarre is held in her honour.

Location

How to get there and move around

Salir de Pamplona por la AP-15 dirección Imarcoain/Zaragoza/Madrid hasta la salida 56A Tafalla Norte y enlazar con la N-121. Tras atravesar Tafalla, enlazar con la NA-132 hasta San Martín de Unx. Pasar esta localidad y a unos metros tomar el desvío a la derecha por la NA-5310 hasta Ujué.

Volviendo de Ujué, por esa misma carretera y a un kilómetro del cruce de ésta con la NA-5311 dirección Murillo el Fruto/Monasterio de la Oliva, encontraremos un mirador con maravillosas vistas de la zona.

Guided visit

Description: visita a la localidad y al Santuario-Fortaleza.

Price of the visit: consultar.

Service provider:

Services

  • Accommodation
  • Child-park
  • Fronton
  • Medical centre
  • Outdoor sports area
  • Picnic spot
  • Pub
  • Restaurant / coffee-houses

Opening hours, dates and guide prices. We recommend you confirm with the entity in question.

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Practical information