To his go through Pamplona, the Path of Santiago French submerges to the pilgrim in a city with strong tradition jacobea and famous by his parties of Saint Fermín. The route crosses his ancient helmet, where stands out the Cathedral of Santa María the Real, an important example of the Gothic, and the Square of the Castle, heart of the life pamplonesa. The pilgrims walk by historical streets and can visit the Citadel, an impressive fortress renacentista. Pamplona offers a mix of history, culture and the only environment of a marked city by his festive ardour.

Expanding the description of the Path of Santiago French to his go through Pamplona, deepen in the details that do of this city navarra a significant and full stop of character for the pilgrims:

The Entrance to the City Foral:

After surpassing the defiant Pyrenean stages, the arrival to Pamplona feels like an important turning point on the way French. The city, capital of Navarra, receives to the pilgrims with his rich history, his strong cultural identity and his vibrant environment, especially palpable if the visit coincides with the vicinities of the famous parties of Saint Fermín.

The Historical and Religious Heart:

The Path crosses the ancient helmet of Pamplona, a entramado of narrow streets and empedradas that evoke his mediaeval past. One of the central points of the visit is the Cathedral of Santa María the Real, a glorious example of the Gothic late with an elegant façade neoclásica. His interior houses important works of art, including the claustro Gothic, considered one of the most beautiful of Europe, and the sepulcro of Carlos III the Noble and his wife Leonor of Castilla. The cathedral is a place of recogimiento spiritual and a testimony of the deep connection of Pamplona with the history and the faith.

Very near it finds the Square of the Cathedral, an open space that invites to the rest and to the contemplation of the historical surroundings. From here, the pilgrim can adentrarse in the streets that have been witnesses of centuries of history.

The Square of the Castle: The Lung of Pamplona:

The Square of the Castle is the heart of the social and cultural life of Pamplona. Surrounded of historical edifices with façades señoriales and animate terraces of coffees, this square has been the centre neurálgico of the city during centuries. For the pilgrim, is an ideal place to do a pause, observe the bullicio local and perhaps taste some speciality navarra. The square also has been stage of important historical events and is a key point of reference in the city.

After the Steps of Saint Fermín:

Although the majority of the pilgrims do not visit Pamplona during the parties of Saint Fermín (of the 6 to 14 July), the atmosphere of the city is impregnated of this tradition. The route of the running of the bulls, with his narrow streets and the famous curve of Mail, forms part of the urban landscape and can be visited by the pilgrims, although with a lot of more calm and without the adrenaline of the career. The landmarks of the running of the bulls are easily identifiable and offer an only perspective of this worldwide known festivity.

The Imponente Citadel:

A bit move away of the ancient helmet, but accessible on foot, finds the Citadel of Pamplona, an impressive fortress renacentista of pentagonal plant. Surrounded of wide parks and fosos, the Citadel is a calm space where the pilgrims can stroll and enjoy of a respite of the bullicio urban. His bastions, pavilions and the ancient polvorín are witnesses of the strategic importance of Pamplona along the history. Nowadays, the Citadel houses exposures and cultural events.

Experience of the Pilgrim in Pamplona:

Pamplona offers a wide range of services for the pilgrims, including numerous hostels, hostales and hotels. The city has a rich gastronomic offer, where can taste local products like the asparaguses of Navarra, the lamb in chilindrón and the wines of the region. The pilgrims also will find skilled tents in articles for the Path and centres of information to help them in his route.

The go through Pamplona is an opportunity to submerge in the culture navarra, know his history and enjoy of the vitality of a city that combines tradition and modernity. Although the hardness of the previous stages can do that some pilgrims only do a brief unemployed, devote time to explore Pamplona enriches significantly the experience of the Path of Santiago.