Top Historic Sights in Pamplona, Spain

Explore the historic highlights of Pamplona

Church of San Saturnino

The Romanesque church of San Saturnino was probably built between 1180-1200 over the primitive church. The Romanesque church was suffered by several attacks during the course of conflicts with neighboring towns in the 13th century. The current Gothic appearance dates from the 13th century. Located on Calle San Saturnino, the portico offers a set of Gothic-style sculpture made between the late 13th and early 14th centuri ...
Founded: 1180-1200 | Location: Pamplona, Spain

Pamplona Cathedral

The site of the Pamplona Cathedral (Santa María la Real) is the oldest part of the Roman Pompaelo. Archaeological excavations have revealed streets and buildings from the 1st century BC. The oldest cathedral was demolished in 924 during the invasion of Abd-al-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba. During the reign of Sancho III (1004–1035) the church was reconstructed. That church was demolished from 1083 to 1097, and the Roma ...
Founded: 1394-1501 | Location: Pamplona, Spain

San Nicolás Church

San Nicolás church was built in the 12th century not only with religious functions, but also as a defensive bastion of the quarter during the strife with the neighbouring ones of St. Saturnino and Navarrería. The military role is evident in the watch tower. In 1222 the original Romanesque church was destroyed by a fire, and was replaced by a new building, consecrated in 1231. The interior is in Gothic style, from di ...
Founded: 1231 | Location: Pamplona, Spain

Museum of Navarre

The Museum of Navarra is the art museum of Navarre. It is located in the old hospital of 16th-century Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia de Pamplona, converted to museum only in 1956. The origins of the collection are works obtained by a provincial Commission in 1844, and displayed in 1910 at what is now the Cámara de los Comptos. To the right of the entrance is the facade of the church of the hospital. The exhibits in ...
Founded: 1956 | Location: Pamplona, Spain

Citadel of Pamplona

The Citadel of Pamplona is an old military renaissance fort, constructed between the 16th and 17th centuries. At present a large part of the fort it is still standing in a public park with cultural activities taking place in its buildings. Philip II of Spain ordered his construction in 1571, following a plan for renovation and general reinforcement of the city walls. The defensive system was built in line with the theory ...
Founded: 1571 | Location: Pamplona, Spain

Fort San Cristóbal

The Fort Alfonso XII or San Cristóbal is a fort located on the top of the mount San Cristóbal, 4 km from Pamplona, Spain. It was built after the Carlist War of 1872-1876 because Carlists succeeded to reach Pamplona (controlled by the liberal Government) with their artillery from this and other mountains surrounding Pamplona from the north. The advances in artillery during late 19th century forced the military authoriti ...
Founded: 1878-1919 | Location: Pamplona, Spain

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.