28 July - 11 August (2026 dates to be confirmed)
Mendigorria International Music Festival
Mendigorria
Travel back in time as you look up at two medieval towers: the Olcoz Tower and the Santacara Tower
Come and discover the defensive heritage of Central Navarre.
The historical heritage of Central Navarre: come and discover its medieval towers.
The Two Towers are not only in The Lord of the Rings, but also in Central Navarre. We suggest you take a trip back in time to the Middle Ages and visit the most impressive defensive towers in the region. The Olcoz Tower and Santacara Tower remind us that there was a time not so long ago when knights, queens, kings and minstrels populated Navarre.
The Medieval Tower of Olcoz, defensive heritage on the Way
Be sure to visit this magnificent tower-palace in Biurrun-Olcoz, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, which once served as a watchtower connected to nearby castles. Step inside and immerse yourself in the rich medieval history of the town. The terrace at the top of the building also offers wonderful views of the surrounding area.
Olcoz is one of the towns on the Way of St. James and is a place where history meets spirituality.
You can check the tower’s opening hours and the availability of guided tours here.
Remains of an imposing castle: Santacara Tower
Step back into Santacara’s medieval past by visiting the castle’s keep.
The tower, which is set on a hill, is surrounded by the remains of the impressive castle that once stood there, controlling the whole area from on high.
Santacara Tower is located in an open area with free public access, which means you can visit it at any time. You can find out more about the tower and the town here. It’s just a short walk to visit the town, but there is this 9-km route if you would rather go hiking. Or do you prefer mountain biking? Well, put on your helmet and set off through the countryside on this demanding 42.1-km route and with a climb of 850 metres.
A tower that no longer stands: Tiebas and the fortified palace
As you make your way to Pamplona from Central Navarre, you will go past some ruins shrouded in mystery on your right. They are all that remains of Tiebas Fortified Palace, a strategic enclave with much more history than you would first imagine.
King Theobald II of Navarre had it built as a royal residence in the mid-13th century. It was constructed on an Iron Age settlement, which we know thanks to the testing of pots and carbon remains. The building was a royal residence on several occasions, although its other uses included being a prison, royal archive and the Court of Auditors of Navarre. Sieges, fires and battles damaged the castle, whose stone ended up being used to construct other buildings.
But the castle still continues to be of interest: Tiebas-Muruarte de Reta local council is the driving force behind different research projects. Once a year, the place regains its former glory during the traditional ‘Tiebas, Royal Court’ festival.
From Tower to Tower and just keep going
Central Navarre has several more noteworthy towers, including the Joyous Gard watchtower of the Royal Palace, the tower of the Fortress Church of Ujué, the towers of Artajona’s medieval walls or the one of the ghost towns of Rada. Don’t forget to look upwards when you visit us as there is always something to admire.
Pro tip:
If you are interested in the medieval past of Central Navarre, you can round off your visit to the towers with a stroll through the medieval towns and villages in the area or by following a route through the Romanesque heritage of the neighbouring towns. If you are reading this in summer, check out what’s on because several medieval-themed events are held in July, August and September.
