DAY 10 : SPAIN : NAVARETTE to NAJERA - 18.8 kms - 4 hours

Distance walked in France and Spain so far : 951.6 kms

Weather : cool, light cloud : 16o

Our destination today was Najera.

 

Leaving Navarette after an excellent breakfast, provided
by our host, Roberto. Here with another couple from
Torremolinos.

 

Walking on stone and pebbled paths today. Straight and
unchanging. Light drizzle. We passed
through commercial vineyards and olive groves.

 

Welcome stop for cafe con leche in a bar in Ventosa.

 

Traditional farmer's hut on the outskirts of Najera.

 

Najera, a very attractive town, on the Rio Najerilla with
a mountain backdrop. It was originally Naxara under Arab
occupation in 714 AD. There are ruins of the alcazar and
 castle  near  the town. In the 11th and 12th centuries it was
 the  capital of the kingdom of Navarra.

 

Lunch in the sun by the river.

 

Ancient caves carved out for human
habitation in medieval times.

 

Stork's nest. They nest in summer and fly south for the winter.

Legend has it that King Garia Sanchez 111 was out hunting
and chased his prey into a cave where he found a
mysterious image of the Virgin Mary. So he  commissioned
the construction of a monastery on the same spot in 1052.
The monastery of Santa Maria la Real is built into the
rock where the cave was discovered.

 

 

The monastery of Santa Maria la Real with its gold decoration.

 

 

The tombs of two Spanish dynasties who ruled the kingdom
of Najera-Pamplona between 918 and 1076.

 

Cloisters, within its walls, lie the tombs of numerous
Riojan, Navarrese and Basque noble families of 16-18th
centuries.

 

Our accommodation for the night.
We have a double room with bathroom. 40 euros.

 

M&M

16/10/12