Puente la Reina

Puente la Reina was founded in the 12th century to populate the regions surrounding the pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago. A walk through this village takes the walker back to the Middle Ages.

Roman bridge

If anything characterizes Puente la Reina, it is the famous Romanesque bridge over the Arga River, on the outside of the village. According to tradition, Puente la Reina owes its name to this 110 meter long bridge. In Spanish it means Puente la Reina Queen's Bridge. Legend has it that this bridge was built in the 11th century by an anonymous queen, with the aim of facilitating the departure of pilgrims from the village.

Calle Mayor

Due to the important location of this town during the Middle Ages and its importance in the Camino de Santiago , the town was protected by high walls. Two towers are still visible, marking the entrance to Calle Mayor (the main street). Several architectural gems were also built that can still be visited in this street today. There are three churches: the Crucifijo Church and the Santiago Church (12th century), and the San Pedro Church (14th century).

In addition to these churches, there is also the Convento de Trinitarios, a monastery from the 13th century. There is also the beautiful square Julian Mena, where the town hall is located in the building Casa de los Cubiertos from the 17th century. The latter building has a beautiful colonnade with 13 semicircular arches, which used to serve as a location for the market.

Santa Maria de Eunate

In the past, there were also important military orders responsible for the protection of pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. One of these orders was one of the most famous, the Knights Templar. These had their most important temple a few kilometers from Puente la Reina. This was the temple of Santa Maria de Eunate.

The name Eunate (in Basque for “a hundred doors”) refers to the many arches of this octagonal Romanesque monastery. This monastery was built between the mid-12th and early 13th centuries. Its origins are still not entirely clear today. However, this temple shows few similarities with the usual Romanesque style.

The theory that has received the most attention about the origins of this monastery is that it was built as a pilgrim hospital. This was built on behalf of Sancho VI, called the Wise, at the request of his wife. Her remains were found in the monastery.

Eunate's ritual

In Eunate there is still a ritual where every pilgrim who arrives must walk around the church three times before going to the center. They do this to absorb the energy of this place. Eunate is known as a special place with special power and meaning.

According to legend, the church radiates a special one spiritual energy out. This is due to its octagonal shape and location at the intersection of several pilgrim paths. Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago often perform this ritual. They believe it gives them spiritual strength and helps them during their pilgrimage.

The octagonal design of the church has symbolic meanings dating back to the time of the Knights Templar. Some believe it is a place of reconciliation and spiritual healing. Pilgrims come to this place to feel this energy and use the power of the place for their further journey.

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