Mélida - Navarra Media

Rural charm next to the entrance to the Bardenas Reales badlands

Mélida is in the middle valley of the River Aragón, in a natural settling of river terraces and badlands, including spots such as the Santa Águeda pine grove and protected areas of the River Aragón. Bordering on Santacara, Carcastillo, Murillo el Cuende and the Bardenas Reales, it is one of this natural park’s set of congozante towns (those with rights to pasture, plough, sew, collect firewood, make charcoal and fell trees).

Its history can be traced back to the pre-historic and Roman eras, with residential farms or villae such as El Coscojal. During the Middle Ages, the land belonged to the monarch, then to the nobility and finally to the church under La Oliva Monastery. It witnessed fighting during the wars against Castile and Navarrese armed conflicts that led to its castle being repeatedly destroyed.

During the Modern Era, Mélida developed a community life with mills, factories and a school, and its population peaked in the 20th century before people began to migrate to cities.

The main celebrations are the patron saint’s festivities (24-26 July), the Great Festivities (19-25 August) in honour of St. Bernard, and the Exaltation of the Cross (14 September), with pilgrimages, bull runs and communal events. The local cuisine is showcased at those festivities with traditional dishes such as lamb braised with peppers and tomatoes, stews and local produce.

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