The walls of Pamplona are incredible. They very well may be the most impressive feat of ancient fortification outside of the Great Wall of China. At a length of over five kilometers the walls protect the old city of Pamplona. Passing through the gates is like passing through the wardrobe into Narnia.
Amazingly, though the walls stretch back to the early 1400’s, three quarters of the walls remain today. The citadel on the south side of the old town is almost completely intact. Experience the walls from below, where you can look up and imagine the daunting task of trying to take over the city. Walk atop the walls and bask in the fortress that the city walls created. Thankfully, today you can do both.
History Of The Pamplona Walls
The construction of the walls began under the Kingdom of Navarre in medieval times. It’s purpose was to provide safety and protection to its people. The walls of Pamplona were constructed around three neighboring towns. The treaty of Privilegio de la Union proclaimed the three towns united in 1423. They were the towns of San Cremin, San Nicolas and Navarreria.
It became a Spanish stronghold after the incorporation of Navarre in 1515. Strategically, It was used for fending off France. The French loomed on the other side of the Pyrenees. Further fortification began under King Felipe II with the construction of the citadel.
What To See Around The Walls of Pamplona
Citadel
The citadel fortified Pamplona to prevent invasion. Prior to its construction, the city was vulnerable to siege. Its creation was a modern engineering feat. The citadel is a modern masterpiece, and it remained in use during the Spanish Civil War in 1939. Currently, it is a public park that you can enter and wander around.
In 1964 the Spanish army decided to endow the citadel to the city of Pamplona. This transfer officially took place two years later, in 1966. The city revitalized the Taconera Gardens by restoring lost parts and uncovering hidden areas. As a result, the citadel became one of the best-preserved military structures in Spain. It has earned status of a National Monument.
Taconera Gardens
Pamplona’s oldest park was originally outside of the city’s walls. The extension incorporated the Taconera Gardens into the protected city, positioning them between two developments within the walls. What was once the Gonzaga bastion is now one of the most tranquil places in the city. There is even a moat between two of the walls where deer, peacocks and more, call home.
Portals
The old city walls of Pamplona used to have six gates to the city, known as portals. Relocations and destruction have affected several of the original portals in the Taconera Gardens. Three portals remain on the same side of the city, including the New Portal (Portal Nuevo) that now hosts a road. The New Portal underwent rebuilding in the 20th century. This came after its destruction during battles in 1823.
The two other portals in this area are Portal de la Taconera and San Nicolás Gate. . The two portals have been moved from their original locations. Both are located in the Taconera Gardens
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Portal Francia is the gate to the city that has stood the test time the best. The last true gate through the walls of Pamplona. Located to the north, it is the only gate that stands in its original location. This gateway is located near the base on the walls and is a great place to start your journey around the walls.
Journey Around The Walls
Walking on top of the city walls is a great activity. If you find yourself at the bottom, you can walk up the road or take a free elevator up to the top. When you exit the elevator, circle around it to take in the jaw dropping views.
Facing outward, if you go to the left you’ll head towards Portal Nueva and the Taconera Gardens. This is a great way to head as you get hit with a ton of culture really quickly.
Quirky activity: Stand facing the corner of the wall in the New Portal. Have someone else stand on the other side, kitty corner. If one person speaks into the wall the sound will carry up and over the arched roof. The other person will clearly hear what is said.
After you wander the Taconera Gardens and see the Portal de la Taconera and San Nicolás Gate, head towards the Citadel. If you walk past Portal de la Taconera, away from Casco Antiguo, the citadel will be on your left. It should only take a few hundred steps to get there.
The part of the wall that hasn’t been retained, is the far side of the citadel. At this point you will have most likely been adventuring for a couple hours and deserve a break. Head into Plaza del Castillo for some pintxos and refreshments.
After the Citadel
Afterwards, head towards the Plaza de Torros. The wall, starts up again next to it. As you walk along this section of the wall you’ll notice the wall gets higher and higher. Following the walking path itself is flat but the depth the wall drops is extensive. At the end of this first long straight stretch there will be a lookout.
Continuing onward, the path dips below the top or the wall and comes to a cobblestone intersection. If you take a right at this point, you’ll head down towards the only original portal, Portal Francia. This is a good way to go if you want to study the walls from below. Alternatively, there is also a riverside pathway that takes you back to your original starting point.
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Staying up top you have expansive views of the mountains and valley. The wall continues straight till you get to the Royal Archives of Navarre building. At that point you head back into Casco Antiguo.
There is a short part of the wall remaining between the road up from where you started and the elevator. This stretch of wall is much like the wall at the start of your adventure. It offers terrific views while you stand high above the modern city below.
The old city walls are impressive in scale and may leave you dumbstruck. When you see them first hand and think about the time, effort, strength, and drive it would have taken to build this fortress, it’s astonishing. Living within the walls must have felt like the safest place on earth. Find out for yourself. The walls of Pamplona are a triumph.