Puente La Reina: Culture and the Camino de Santiago

Puente La Reina brings together several features that may influence your choice of destination: the Camino de Santiago, Romanesque architecture, churches, historic streets and recurring markets. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first weigh up whether the Camino, the townscape, walks or a seasonal event will be the deciding factor in your plans.

The Camino, the bridge and the townscape

The Romanesque bridge in Puente La Reina is 110 metres long and has seven round arches, one of which is underground. It was built in the 11th century to make it easier for pilgrims to cross the Río Arga after passing through the Rúa Mayor. The Camino de Santiago reaches Puente La Reina from Roncesvalles or Sangüesa. A walking route suggested by the municipality follows the route from east to west along Calle Crucifijo and Calle Mayor. Two perspectives sit side by side: the Camino describes the arrival in town, while the walk provides a specific route along two named streets.

Calle Mayor is a historic street with 213 buildings and architectural features from the medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Today, four towers of the former fortifications can be seen on the Paseo. The street and the towers reveal different aspects of the historic townscape: Calle Mayor, with its buildings from several architectural periods, and the towers, as visible remnants of the former fortifications.

Churches and architectural history

The churches also differ in their architecture and furnishings. The Iglesia del Crucifijo consists of a Romanesque nave and a Gothic nave, and houses a large Y-shaped Gothic crucifix. The Iglesia de San Pedro combines Romanesque buttresses with a Gothic nave; it is also home to the Virgen del Txori.

The history of the Iglesia de Santiago el Mayor dates back to the 12th century; it was rebuilt in the 16th century. Its monumental portal shows Moorish influences, and inside are Gothic sculptures of Santiago Apóstol and San Bartolomé. The Convento de las Comendadoras del Sancti Spiritu dates from another period: it was built in 1754 and has Rococo altarpieces. The religious buildings therefore offer a chance to see both different architectural features and different historical periods.

Walking routes and events throughout the year

The municipality has laid out ten health-focused walking routes through Puente la Reina/Gares. PR-NA205 and SL-NA316 are also designated hiking routes. This distinguishes a network of walking routes from two routes with their own designations. As route conditions or availability may change, check the current status of the route before setting out.

Recurring events may also play a role in travel planning. The Santiago patron saint festivities are traditionally celebrated from 24 to 30 July; the programme includes music, bull runs, dancing and other scheduled events. Dates and programmes may vary from year to year. A craft fair traditionally takes place on the last weekend of September, with stalls along Calle Mayor, as well as a Layas race. Here too, specific dates and events may vary from year to year.

Regional cuisine and getting there

A pepper market traditionally takes place between September and early December. Local producers sell various kinds of peppers and other typical agricultural products from the region at the Campa de la Fundación Mena. Local cuisine includes produce from the gardens of Campollano, as well as traditional and modernised recipes. The market and the area’s culinary character offer a different way to experience the town than its architectural history and the Camino de Santiago.

Puente la Reina/Gares is connected to Pamplona and Logroño via the Autovía del Camino A-12. Which of these features you focus on can give direction to your travel plans without prescribing a specific itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Epároz, Espinal, Mélida, Baztan, Sangüesa, Ochagavía, Olite, Jaurrieta.

For the broader travel overview: Navarra.