PLACE: Donibane Garazi (The French Basque Country)

Donibane Garazi (Saint Jean Pied de Port), capital of Lower Navarre, is without a doubt a beautiful destination, with a very special feeling. Situated on the banks of the Nive, it was founded at the end of the 12th Century, at the time of last Navarre Kings, who considered it “the key to their kingdom”.

It is an obliged passage for the great Santiago route from Ostabat, and in little more than an hour you can wander around the steep narrow streets of the Ancient Medieval Town of Donibane-Garazi. These are clean, parallel streets, which are very carefully looked after and gradually descend towards the river. The stone houses contain a picturesque first floor with its reddish woodwork and sandy pink doors and frames. One can see the construction date carved into their lintels, almost all from the 12th and 13th Century, along with the names of the builders.

The town possesses a very interesting historical and artistic heritage. One of the most important sights is the Prisión de los Obispos (Bishops’ Prison), which existed as such in the 19th Century, housing a prison in the underground Gothic room. It still has its original cobbled stone entrance, the cells and rooms for the guards.

We also recommend the Louis XIV style walls, where we find the Navarre gate; a remarkable door with locks and bolts.

Finally, another remarkable sight is the Nuestra Señora (Our Lady) Church, in its Gothic style, possibly inspired in the Bayonne Cathedral. Its façade and portico were destroyed and rebuilt in the 17th Century. This church is built against the gateway tower that protects the bridge and which forms a part of the walls. It appearance is very firm, giving it a more military air than religious.