Early in the morning we tried to get breakfast at the pizzeria in Cizur Menor, but everything was firmly closed. We couldn't find any other place. So we set off without breakfast and enjoyed the coolness of the morning.
In the cool of the morning, on an alternative route (side road) to Camparos. Only there we had a morning meal.
(because of the sun I drive in the opposite direction for the photo)
Eunate
a gem from the Romanesque period. It has been there since 1170. I was very impressed by the church. Inside the church we were alone at first and enjoyed singing 'Domine Deus'. We didn't notice that other visitors had taken their seats in the back rows of the pews. They listened devoutly and almost gave us a round of applause.
Shortly afterwards we reached Puente la Reina. This is where the Way of Saint James from the Somport Pass and the Ibaneta Pass meet. At the exit of the town there is a beautiful bridge, the Queen's Bridge. It is a special feeling to cross this bridge, which has stood there for almost 1000 years, built for the pilgrims.
The Queen's Bridge, the Queen of Bridges. It is a wonderful feeling to drive over this medieval bridge. It leads over the Arga. Queen Doña Mayor, wife of Sancho III, had it built.
The Puenta la Reina from a different perspective; Photo: Ellen Fellow
We ride through the village of Cirauqui. A very similar photo is also in my Stöppel cycle guide.
Estella: At the entrance to the town, the ruins of the Sepulcro Church with its beautiful Gothic portal await us.
Tympanum with the Last Supper
Left and right the 12 apostles
Puente de la Cárcel over the Rio Egra. It was built in 1873, replacing a Romanesque predecessor.
Estella
Romantic square with Renaissance fountain
After Estella, the Way of St. James leads to the monastery of Irache. At the bodegas of the same name, a surprise awaits us in the form of a wine fountain.
Indeed, good red wine flows from this fountain near the monastery of Irache shortly after Estella - free of charge, as much as you want. However, I only tried one (two) sips because of further cycling.
The wine fountain is monitored by a camera.
(the link was last checked in March 2024)
In the shadow of the archway of the Irache monastery we rest a little.
The path leads through the vineyards of Navarre.
The small town of Torres del Rio (the place name means towers on the river, on the Río Linares) has a Romanesque treasure in the centre.
In a small square stands the octagonal Santo Sepulcro Church (Holy Sepulchre Church) from the 12th century.
Inside, a fantastic vaulted ceiling impresses:
Here we are already at our stage destination in Viana. The entrance to the hostel is at the main square near the church (in the archway, centre of the picture).
We received a very warm welcome from the hostel host Bako.
The only but serious drawback to the hostel, there were no beds - just thin mats on the floor. I didn't really sleep.
After the pilgrimage service with blessing we were allowed to visit the wonderful baroque sacristy and admire the antique missals. Afterwards we had a meal together. Hostel father Bako (back left at the table) cooked. The Spanish priest José (on the right in the picture) looks after us and takes part in the dinner.
First course: Salad and cheese-sausage platelets (picture)
Second course: Soup
Dessert: Yoghurt
After dinner, there was an extremely atmospheric evening meditation in the half-dark church.
Photos: Gerhard Eichinger
over the Pyrenees
Viana - Logroño
