3rd stage: from Sangüesa to Puente
La Reina
The third stage of the journey leaves
from Sangüesa and continues to Rocaforte, where San Francisco
de Asís is known to have stayed during his first visit
to Spain, and returns to the main route at Liédana.
The route leads through Navarrese lands to the Foz de Lumbier,
a beautiful nature reserve where there is a spectacular gorge
cut by the Irati river. The Romans built a bridge over it
which later was used by pilgrims on their way to Santiago.
Today, there are no traces of it.
Then, the way crosses La Venta de Judas,
Nardues, Aldunata, Izco, Abinzano, Idocín, Salinas
de Ibargoiti, where stands a beautiful Gothic church, and
Monreal, where are the remains of an old castle, and the
church of San Martín de Tours. The temple, of Gothic
origin, was completely reformed in the 17 C.
The route continues past Yarnoz (crenellated
tower), Otano (Medieval bridge), Ezperun, Guerendiain and
Tiebas. Here, pilgrims can visit the ruins of a castle,
a Gothic church and enjoy a panoramic view of the Basin
of Pamplona.
After crossing Venta de Campañas
and Enériz, the route stops at Eunate, where is Santa
María de Eunate, a funerary monument or chapel with
octogonal ground plan. Then, the way leads to Obanos and
reaches Puente La Reina, where it joins the French Route
coming from Roncesvalles. From this point, pilgrims will
follow the way that starts from Roncesvalles.
In the old town stands the Church of the
Crucifix (12-13 C), built by the Knight Templars. The Church
of Santiago (12 C), on the main street, contains one of
the most beautiful polychromed carvings of the Apostle that
can be found on the way to Santiago.
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