There is a town in the heart of Navarra that is trapped in the past and visiting it is like a trip back in time to a time of knights. Ujué is a medieval town from the 12th century with an epic appearance, built on top of a mountain with a fortress crowning it all. Its stone streets, its arches and its corners will transport you directly to the Middle Ages.
This epic town is full of small stone houses, which surround the fortress and fall down the mountainside, forming an intact labyrinth of alleys and medieval passageways. Ujué is not a very large town, but its layout is so steep that the ideal is to walk slowly and aimlessly, disconnecting and enjoying the history.
All the streets converge at the same point, the heart of Ujué: the fortress sanctuary of Santa María. Originally, it was a Romanesque temple from the 11th century built on another previous temple. However, only the vaults remain from this period. Charles II 'El Malo' ordered the addition of a Gothic nave and several towers with beacons to give it a defensive appearance, which has earned it the title of National Monument.
Of this architectural jewel, the portico stands out, with an impressive representation of the Last Supper and the adoration of the Three Wise Men. It is also worth visiting the 9th century parade ground and the Virgin of Ujué, a 12th century piece covered in silver that rests next to the monarch's heart, by order of the monarch in 1385.
Other unforgettable stops are the Plaza de la Pilarraña, located in the lower part of the town and a beautiful and compact example of the medieval architecture of Ujué. Something similar happens with the Plaza Mayor, also called Plaza Grande, which connects with the Plaza Municipal through a passage called the Portal, part of the original wall.
Hermitage of San Miguel
A very steep walk will take you to the hermitage of San Miguel, a 13th century temple that was demolished in 1806, but of which the walls, the doorway and the belfry with the hole for the bells are still preserved, leaving us with the most spectacular views of Ujué among its ruins. We finished the getaway with some good migas al pastor typical of the town and a sunset over the plains, to be able to say that we have made the most of this trip.
