Plaza del Castillo (Castle Square), Pamplona (must see)
The Castle Square stands as the vibrant heart and nerve center of Pamplona, with its expansive almost 14,000 square meters having played a pivotal role throughout the city's storied history. Its name harkens back to the castle that once graced its eastern part, built by Luis HutÃn in 1310 and serving as a parade ground overlooking the square. During the Middle Ages, the Castle Square served as a neutral zone amid conflicts between three towns, boasting military significance alongside its role as a market in 1324 and an agricultural area for herbs and wheat in the 14th century.
Since 1405, it has hosted a plethora of celebrations and fairs commemorating monarchical anniversaries and the city's patron saints. Additionally, the Castle Square served as the primary venue for bullfights from 1385 to 1844, highlighting its multifaceted role in Pamplona's cultural landscape.
Over the centuries, the Castle Square has witnessed a remarkable evolution, with its functions transitioning from military parades and bullfights to leisurely pursuits such as cafes and social gatherings. The center kiosk, erected in 1943, replaced an earlier wooden structure from 1910, which itself replaced the 18th-century Beneficencia fountain by Luis Paret. Although the original Mariblanca statue from the fountain now resides in the Taconera gardens, the Castle Square continues to serve as a vibrant focal point within Pamplona's urban fabric, embodying the city's rich history and enduring spirit.
Since 1405, it has hosted a plethora of celebrations and fairs commemorating monarchical anniversaries and the city's patron saints. Additionally, the Castle Square served as the primary venue for bullfights from 1385 to 1844, highlighting its multifaceted role in Pamplona's cultural landscape.
Over the centuries, the Castle Square has witnessed a remarkable evolution, with its functions transitioning from military parades and bullfights to leisurely pursuits such as cafes and social gatherings. The center kiosk, erected in 1943, replaced an earlier wooden structure from 1910, which itself replaced the 18th-century Beneficencia fountain by Luis Paret. Although the original Mariblanca statue from the fountain now resides in the Taconera gardens, the Castle Square continues to serve as a vibrant focal point within Pamplona's urban fabric, embodying the city's rich history and enduring spirit.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Pamplona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Plaza del Castillo (Castle Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza del Castillo (Castle Square)
Sight Location: Pamplona, Spain (See walking tours in Pamplona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Pamplona, Spain (See walking tours in Pamplona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Pamplona, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Pamplona
Creating your own self-guided walk in Pamplona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pamplona Introduction Walking Tour
Pamplona, the capital of the autonomous region of Navarre in northern Spain, is one of the oldest cities in the country. Its history spans millennia. Originally a small Vascones settlement known as Iruña, it was transformed into a Roman city named Pompelo by the Roman commander Gnaeus Pompey in 74 BC. Over the centuries, Pamplona witnessed the rise and fall of various powers, from the Visigoths... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles