1st Stage:
From Roncesvalles to Zubiri
The pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Compostela can be started from any of the villages along the Santigo Route since it is not necessary to go through every stage of it.
But if you want to make the pilgrimage from beginning to end, you will have to start in Roncesvalles and cover 31 stages. The 1st stage takes the pilgrim from the mythical Roncesvalles to Zubiri.
It was in Roncesvalles that a battle took place among the Basque people and the Carlomagno troops, back in 778. When the troops tried to cross the Pyrenees on his way back to France, the mythical Roldan died.
Before leaving this beautiful village, pilgrims can enjoy a visit to the Gothic Church of Santa Maria, with its flight of steps, and the Romanesque Chapel of the Sancti Spiritus, used in the past as a tomb for pilgrims. Another important monument is the Church of Santiago, which dates back to the 13th century.
During this 1st stage of the Route, travellers can stop at one of the best transepts of the French Route (14th century) and then in Bruguete, where they will be able to set foot on a pilgrim street-road. El Espinal is the next stop on the route. This city was founded by Teobaldo II before he set off for Tunez, where he was to take part in the Crusade organized by Saint Luis of France.
The route reaches the top of Menquiziz, where San Cristobal, a 16th-century Church, is located, with its neoclassical altarpiece of the 19th century. Then it takes you to Viscarret, the final stop on the Route, according to the Calixtus codex. Upon leaving this village, you will arrive in Linzoain and then, Erro.
Legend states that in Erro there is a menhir lying down, of approximately 2 meters, which corresponds to the length of one of Roldan´s steps. Finally, pilgrims arrive in Zubiri, the final stop of the 1st day of the journey, where once a leprosarium-hospital arose, and where the "Puente de la Rabia" can still be found.
2nd Stage:
From Zubiri to Pamplona
Having taken a rest in Zubiri after an exhausting journey, the pilgrim will begin the second stage of the Route, which passes through Iiárraz and Esquízoz, before arriving in Larrasoaña. Here, he will find the "Sociedad de Amigos del Camino" (Society of Friends of the Route), where he will be provided with any information he might need.
Then the Route continues to Aquerreta, with its Church of the Transfiguration, and arrives in Zuriáin, where the Temple of San Millán arises. Then it crosses the Arga River, in Iroz, alongside a beautiful Romanesque bridge and reaches the village of Zabaldica, where pilgrims can visit the image of Santiago, kept in the Church of San Esteban. The Route continues to Arleta, where you can tour the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria, which contains a modern image of Santiago. The next village on the Route is Trinidad de Arre, where once there was a hospital (14th century), dependent on the Roncesvalles hospital.
The Route continues to Villava and Burlada before arriving in Pamplona, the final stop of the second stage of the journey.
3rd Stage:
From Pamplona to Puente La Reina
Before leaving Pamplona for the third stage of the Route, you might want to visit this beautiful and important city in the Middle Ages.
Its magnificent Gothic Cathedral (14th century) includes one of the most beautiful Ogival Cloisters in Europe, and was famous in the Middle Ages for the meals that were served every day to the pilgrims.
The Monastery of Santo Domingo (16th century) houses historic images and embrossings. You will also find the fortress churches of San Cernin (14th century) and of San Nicolás (13th century), both built in Gothic style.
The third stage of the Route begins in Pamplona and passes through Cizur Menor, where you can explore the ruins of a hospital for pilgrims, the Church of the Encomienda de San Juan de Jerusalén (12th century) and the Romanesque Temples of San Emeterio and San Celedonio.
The journey continues to the town of Zariegui, where remains a cobbled section of the Route on its way to Alto del Perdón. Then it passes through the villages of Uterga, Muruzábal and Obanos, where the paths to Somport and Rocesvalles intersect, beside the small Chapel of San Salvador.
The Route finally reaches the town of Puente de la Reina, final stop of the third stage. This place was named after a bridge built by doña Mayor de Navarra, in the 11th century, for pilgrims.
4th Stage:
From Puente La Reina to Estella
In Puente la Reina, final stop of the third stage, you can visit the Church of the Crucifijo (12th, 14th centuries), which was built by the members of the Order of the Temple.
You can also tour the Church of Santiago (12th century), located on the Mayor Street, which contains one of the finest multicolored sculptures representing the Apostle Santiago that can be found along the Santiago Route.
The fourth stage of the Santiago Route leaves behind this charming town through the Bridge of the Peregrinos, a medieval jewel dating back to the 11th century, and is headed for Mañeru, where walkers will find a famous Renaissance transept.
They will be able to visit the18th-century parish church of San Pedro and pray inside. The journey continues to Cirauqui, a typical medieval town which contains a beautiful Roman road and the Church of San Román (16th century), filled with keepsakes from former pilgrimages. Another ancient monument is the Temple of Santa Catalina, built in the 13th century.
The Santiago Route progresses to Lorca, where visitors will find a marvelous group of emblazoned houses and the Romanesque Church of El Salvador, built in the 12th century. Leaving behind this village, walkers arrive in Villatuerta, with its Romanesque parish church of the 12th century, the small Chapel of San Miguel (11th century) and its Romanesque bridge. The journey finally takes exhausted travellers to a resting place where they will spend their fourth night on the Santiago Route, Estella.
This noble village, founded in 1909 by the king of Navarra Sancho Ramírez, is the home to numerous precious gems.
5th Stage:
From Estella to Los Arcos
Estella, commonly known as "the small Toledo", offers numerous Medieval precious gems: the Church of San Pedro de la Rúa, from the 12th century, which includes a beautiful Cloister where stands the capital made of twisted columns; the 12th-century Church of San Miguel, with its marvelous Late-Romanesque Façade; the Church of the Santo Sepulcro, built in the 12th century, which also contains a magnificent Romanesque Façade; the 12th century Church of San Juan Baustista; the Gothic-style Church of San Pedro de Lizarra; and the Palace of the Reyes, dating back to the 12th century.
After visiting this Medieval village, walkers begin their fifth day of the journey, which will take them, first to the municipality of Ayegui, where stands the Monastery of Irache. Its origins get lost into the Visigothic Age. Once, the architecture was the most ancient hospital for pilgrims who arrived in Navarra on their way to Santiago, and a University in the 17th and 18th century. In its interior there are Romanesque apses, ogival naves and a marvelous Renaissance Cloister.
Visitors to this beautiful sanctuary will be delighted to discover a fountain from where wine flows. But the Monastery is not the only monument worth viewing in this historic village. Pilgrims can also stop at the Parish Church of San Martín, from the 12th century, and taste the local wines at the Museum of Wine.
The Route progresses to Azqueta, where stands a Medieval fountain,, and to Villamayor de Monjardín with its 12th-century Church in memory to San Andrés. The wine cellars Castillo de Monjardín can be found here. Finally the journey passes through Urbiola before reaching Los Arcos, a village which extends along both sides of the Route. This is the final stop of the fifth day of the Santiago Route.
6th Stage:
From Los Arcos to Logroño
Before starting the sixth stage of the Route, which will be headed to Logroño, pilgrims can stroll along the Mayor Street in the noble village of Los Arcos, stop in front of the façades of its stately homes and view the blazons which decorate them.
Then, travellers can go in the Parish Church of Santa María (16th century) and admire the different artistic styles there represented:
The beautiful Gothic Cloister, the Gothic sculpture representing the Virgin (14th century), the choir stalls dating back to 1561, the central and lateral Baroque Altarpieces, the Renaissance Bell Tower and the Plateresque Façade.
After leaving Los Arcos, the sixth day of the journey will take walkers to Sansol, a municipality where stands the 18th-century Church of San Zoilo. Then the Route arrives in the village of Torres del Río, where arises a fascinating Romanesque funerary Church that shows Mudéjar influences. It was built by the Order of the Santo Sepulcro in the 12th century.
This church is commonly known as the "Linterna de los muertos" (Lantern of th dead) because legend states that, when a pilgrim died in the hospital or nearby, the custom was to light a fire on top of the lantern. This hospital can still be seen today.
The Route progresses to Viana, once a Princedom established in the 15th century by Carlos III the Noble, title held by the heir to the Crown of Navarra. In this princely town, travellers can view the marvelous Renaissance façade of the Santa María´s Church, built between the 14th and 16th century. Its magnificence is characteristic of cathedrals; it has five naves, eleven chapels and a wide apse aisle. Its interior is adorned with a lateral altarpiece in memory to Apostle Santiago. Pilgrims can also view the ruins of San Pedro´s Church and the beauty of the emblazoned façades that decorate this town.
Upon leaving the beautiful Viana, the Route passes Navarra and enters La Rioja. After crossing an old stone bridge of pilgrim origins, it reaches Logroño, the final stop of the sixth day of the journey.
Aragonese Route 1:
From Somport to Jaca
The Aragonese route starts from Somport pass, where pilgrims can visit the ruins of the old hospital of Santa Cristina, built in the 11 C. The Aragonese monarch, Sancho Ramírez is known to have visited it. The pass was mentioned in the 5th book of the Códex Calixinus (12 C) as a halt along the route to Santiago.
Pilgrims leave this beautiful town by the bridges of Santa Cristina and Ruso, and continue to Los Arañones and Canfranc, the first Hispanic town on this branch of the route, founded as far back as the 11 C. This Medieval town, famous for its Modernist railway station, retains its original layout. Pilgrims leave the village through a Medieval bridge and head towards Villanúa, with a 12 C bridge, the church of San Esteban -which contains beautiful carvings from the 15 C-, the church of San Vicente (12 C) and a 15 C fortified house. The route crosses Aruej (a small Romanesque church) and Castiello de Jaca (ruins of a castle), continues past the hermitage of San Cristóbal, and then leads to Jaca, the final stop of the 1st stage of the Aragonese route.
This important town was the kingdom of Aragon´s first capital city from 1035 to 1096, after being conquered by the Romans. Formerly, the town had five parish churches, two hospitals and a cathedral. This, Spain´s oldest Romanesque cathedral, can still be visited, together with the Monastery of the Benedictines, which treasures the Romanesque sepulchre of the infanta Doña Sancha, one of the best preserved in the Iberian Peninsula.
Aragonese Route 2:
From Jaca to Sangüesa
Having rested in Jaca, pilgrims begin the second stage of their journey, which takes them first to the Medieval village of Santa Cecilia de Jaca, where a monastery stood in the 11C. In the surrounding area can be found the Romanesque hermitage of San Juan Caprasio (11 C), the church of Santa María (11-12 C), with a tower considered the finest of the Aragonese Romanesque style, and the Romanesque monastery of San Juan de la Peña. The route leaves Santa Cecilia de Jaca and then leads to Berdún, Sigues, Escó and Tiermas. Upon leaving this last village, it enters Navarra by Yesa. Not far from Yesa is the Benedictine monastery of Leyre and, in the opposite direction, the castle of Xavier.
In its days of greatest splendour, the monastery of Leyre served as episcopal see, royal court and pantheon of the Navarrese kings. It includes a church with Gothic nave and Romanesque chancel, a 12 C portal and a Preromanesque crypt decorated with capitals supported by small shafts. Not far from the monastery is the castle of Xavier, a place of pilgrimage, especially on "javieradas" day.
The route forks at Yesa. The first branch continues to Liédana, where are the remains of a Roman town, and the second leads to Sangüesa, which was founded as a village-road. In this town pilgrims can visit the Romanesque church of Santa María and admire its façade, three apses and an octogonal tower, created in the Gothic style; the Romanesque-Gothic church of Santiago; the Gothic church of Salvador; the monastery of San Francisco de Asís; and the convent of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The town´s civil architecture includes the palace of the Prince of Viana, the town hall -of Renaissance style-, and the counts of Guendulaín´s and the dukes of Granadas de Ega´s palaces.
Aragonese Route 3:
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.