Discover Donamaria: Jauregia, Churches and Trails

For a trip to Donamaria, you can focus on history and remembrance, architecture, or outdoor trails. These topics are quite distinct: a formally designated historical memorial site, the architecture of the Iglesia de la Asunción, the protected Jauregia palace, and two routes with different lengths and surfaces. This lets you plan your time around the subjects that interest you most, rather than treating all the sites as a single tour.

History and remembrance, and church architecture

Sima de Legarrea in Gaztelu (Donamaría) was designated a “Lugar de Memoria Histórica de Navarra” (Place of Historical Memory of Navarre) on 30 September 2020. The events surrounding the site are also part of its significance: the exhumation of the bodies in September 2016 confirmed that the account passed down was true. This offers a historical perspective distinct from looking at architectural forms.

At the Iglesia de la Asunción, the layout and vault are central: the floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, topped by a barrel vault with lunettes. The cylindrical bell tower has a conical roof and was completed in 1846. Inside, a 19th-century main altarpiece with three panels and figural decoration, along with a large stone baptismal font, complements the architectural features. The font has relief decoration featuring stylized plants and four trefoil arches on its front. This makes it possible to consider different elements of a church building side by side: its basic form and vault, the distinct tower, and the furnishings with their pictorial decoration and stonework.

Jauregia and architectural history

Jauregia is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) and is one of the last surviving examples of this type of civil architecture in Navarre. The palace is also known as “Casa de Tablas” (“House of Planks”). Its four floors comprise two stone and two wooden levels, or a wooden defensive gallery (cadalso). The combination of defensive and residential architecture gives this building a different focus from the religious buildings: here, the emphasis is on its form and its function as a defensive and residential tower.

An exhibition at Jauregia covers the palace’s restoration and the history of defensive and residential towers in Navarre. This brings together two perspectives: the architectural features of the palace itself and the development of this building type in the region. Those particularly interested in architecture can consider this context alongside the details of the Iglesia de la Asunción, without conflating the different buildings.

Other places in Gaztelu

The Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Gaztelu dates from 1772. The local rural heritage also includes the Lavadero y fuente de Gaztelu (Gaztelu washhouse and fountain), which preserves a tradition of communal water use. Together with the history and remembrance of Sima de Legarrea, these places broaden the focus beyond individual building forms: they connect architectural history with communal use and historical remembrance.

Two trails, different routes

For a stay that includes time outdoors, two routes offer different profiles. The 2 km walk from Donamaria to Artze follows a well-paved path through wooded areas and to viewpoints over the valley. Its shorter distance and described surface distinguish it from the 4.6 km route between Askarraga and Donamaria. This route follows mountain trails and paved sections; near Jauregia, it also includes a short stretch of road.

Length and surfaces are the main factors to consider when choosing: the route to Artze is the shorter of the two and is described as passing through wooded areas with valley views; the longer route combines different types of paths. The information does not allow you to estimate walking time, and trail conditions may change. Check conditions before setting out. The route descriptions and cultural topics offer different ways to plan your trip, without requiring you to combine them into a single route.

Discover more destinations: Zuaztoi, Orkoien, Egüés, Roncesvalles, Epároz, Yesa, Aibar, Riezu.

For the broader travel overview: Navarre.