Visiting Ujué is clearly stepping back in time to a medieval era full of horses and knights, where stone was the true protagonist of everything. It is perched on top of a mountain, the Ujué Sierra, which has enabled it to be defended and preserved over the centuries. The spirit of Charles II the Bad lives on in the village where he literally wanted to leave his heart.
- History of Ujué
- Things to see in Ujué
- Where to eat in Ujué
- Things to see nearby
- Where to stay in Navarra
History of Ujué
Like many villages with a long history, Ujué also has its legends. The story goes that a shepherd who was walking along the woods saw a pigeon going in and out of a hole. He went to see what was inside and found an image of Saint Mary, which attracted more and more locals to be near it.
In fact, the first chronicles that speak of this enclave refer to its defensive fortress against the Muslim raids.
It was not until the 12th century that the name of Saint Mary of Uxua and, afterwards, Ujué, was mentioned; Ujué was already a proper village under the protection of the first king of Navarre, who ended up founding the church of Saint Mary, one of the site’s main attractions. In fact, King Charles II the Bad and his son King Charles III the Noble enlarged the church and organised pilgrimages to the sanctuary to ask for Saint Mary’s favour.
Things to see in Ujué
Ujué is not a very large village, but its steep streets and magical corners make it advisable to take your time and enjoy everything. You must see its church-fortress and its main squares.
Pilarraña Square
Wherever you look, stone is always present in Ujué’s houses and streets and this traditional square is no exception. Located in the lower part of the village, the square is home to several houses that stand out because of their decoration. The meaning of its name indicates that it may have been a threshing floor that occupied this space and it is believed that a hermitage may have been nearby.
The square, which welcomes visitors almost at the beginning of their walk through the village, serves as a glimpse of what they will find elsewhere and enables them to get used to the houses that have remained fairly the same: stone houses with small windows and some decorated lintels.
Plaza Mayor and Plaza Municipal
Situated at mid-height, the Plaza Municipal is known as the small square as opposed to the Plaza Mayor, which is the main square.
Next to these two flat spaces is the Portal, a passageway that connects one with the other and which is said to have been part of the original village walls.
From the Plaza Mayor there are two streets that lead up to the upper part of the village, where the fortress is located; and in one of the corners is the bullpen, a small space that was used for the bulls that participated in the village fiestas.
Church-Fortress of Saint Mary
The upper part of Ujué, where the sanctuary church of Saint Mary of Ujué is located, is the highlight when visiting this medieval stone village. Originally, this sanctuary, which King Sancho Ramírez ordered to be built, was a Romanesque church erected on top of an ancient temple. It was Charles II the Bad who transformed its central nave into a Gothic style and ordered the erection of crenellated towers that give it the image of a fortress.
This king had a special devotion to the Virgin of Ujué, a unique piece from the 12th century, which he ordered to be lined with silver; he also wrote that his heart should rest at the foot of her altar. If you find the parish priest, you can ask him to let you climb the tower. The views from there are spectacular.
Where to eat in Ujué
You must not leave Ujué without trying its famous migas al pastor (fried breadcrumbs) and one of the best places to do so is at Asador Las Torres, the first restaurant in the village with incredible views thanks to its glazed terrace. You can also eat some incredible lamb chops and a homemade curd with caramelised walnuts from the village.
Another restaurant where there are finger-licking migas al pastor is Asador Uxue, which has a set menu and individual dishes, depending on what you want. The dining room also has large windows with views of the surrounding countryside.
Things to see nearby
Just 18 kilometres from Ujué is another of Navarra’s most beautiful towns, Olite, and its incredible fairytale castle. Its Royal Palace is worth a leisurely visit so that you can enjoy its halls and gardens. The cobbled town is full of noble houses with their coats of arms and crests, Roman walls and Gothic arches in its incredible churches. In August, a medieval festival is held throughout the town.
Where to stay in Navarra
To visit the area, a good idea is to stay in Pamplona, which is about 50 kilometres from Ujué. In Pamplona, the best option is the four-star Occidental Pamplona hotel since it is located in a very convenient area for getting in and out of the city by car, bus and train.
Its location also enables you to visit the historic centre and large parks such as Yamaguchi Park.
The hotel has fully equipped rooms whether you are travelling with your family, friends or partner. Its restaurant is a good option for lunch or dinner at any time and it has a lobby bar that is perfect for relaxing and having a drink.
