The mere mention of its name suggests a place with universal significance. Pamplona’s Plaza del Castillo, along with the Sanfermines [the festival held in honour of San Fermin], an emblem of the capital of the Comunidad Foral de Navarra. It lies at the heart of the city, and is a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. The square is surrounded by splendid edifices steeped in history as well as places to eat and drink that present an irresistible temptation to anyone who sets foot here.
It is, therefore, the perfect spot to begin a sightseeing tour of Pamplona, and to discover all the charms of this city — brought to the attention of the entire world by the American writer Ernest Hemingway. In fact, in the Plaza del Castillo, you will see the Hotel La Perla where the author of ‘A Moveable Feast’ used to stay on his frequent visits to the city. In other words, we are talking about one of Spain’s most iconic, attractive squares, and an essential sight for the tourist.
- The history of Pamplona’s Plaza del Castillo
- What to see and do in the area
- The area’s best bars and restaurants
The history of Pamplona’s Plaza del Castillo
The Plaza del Castillo covers 14,000 square metres, and has a history packed with important highlights. The origin of its name lies in the fortress that once stood in the Bajada de Javier area and which was built by Luis Hutín in 1310, when he took the square as a parade ground. In the Middle Ages, in addition to its military function, the square was a market (from 1324 onwards), and during the fourteenth century it was used for growing herbs and wheat, until it became a wasteland. In the seventeenth century, it was absorbed into the urban fabric of the city, and houses began to be built here.
For a time, its unique characteristics made it a perfect space for leisure and spectacle. During the fifteenth century, festivals and jousting took place here to celebrate special occasions involving the monarchy or city dignitaries. And bullfighting was held here between 1348 and 1844, the year in which a permanent bullring was built. By the nineteenth century, part of the square was already occupied by cafés, many of which are still here.
The bandstand in the centre of the Plaza del Castillo dates from 1943, and was erected on the spot where another, wooden bandstand had stood since 1910. Prior to that, there had been an eighteenth-century public fountain endowed by Luis Paret. Only the main statue of this fountain (known as the Mariblanca) has been preserved and it was subsequently transferred to the Taconera Gardens.
What to see and do in the area
Clearly, the Plaza del Castillo is the area of Pamplona that is most open and rich in monuments. Around it stand the city’s great historic edifices. On the southern side of this arcaded and pedestrianised square is the Palacio de Navarra; on its northern side, the former Casino, and on its eastern side, the Palacio de Goyeneche. In the centre of the square, there is an 18-metre-tall bandstand, and at one end stands a statue dedicated to King Carlos III, the Noble.
Since the start of the twenty-first century, the Plaza del Castillo has been pedestrianised, and an underground car park has been built. At the time, this provoked great political and social controversy in Pamplona, as important archaeological finds were unearthed. The remains of Roman baths were discovered, along with a Muslim necropolis with 200 tombs, a stretch of the city’s medieval walls, and even a menhir.
The area’s best bars and restaurants
The main streets of Pamplona’s historic quarter all converge on the Plaza del Castillo. And as this area is so popular with tourists, there are plenty of restaurants around the square. There are eateries to suit every taste and every pocket. Having said that, it’s worth making a thoughtful choice. Some of the most reputable establishments in the square itself are the following: La Tasca de Don José, Bar Restaurante Baviera, El Torreón del Castillo, Gure Etxea, El Quince Plaza, Napargar and the iconic Café Iruña. In the area around the square, good establishments include Asador Katuzarra (San Nicolás, 34), La Olla (Avenida Roncesvalles, 2), Iruñazarra (Mercaderes, 15), Bar Gaucho (Espoz y Mina, 7), Europa (Espoz y Mina, 11) and Bar Ulzama (San Nicolás, 12).
