Castellano | Euskara | Français | English
Façades and garden
Access to the Palace
Detail of the fachade of Avenida San Ignacio.
- Façades
The construction of the Palace of Navarre in the mid-19th century was designed with a main façade looking on to Avenida San Ignacio and a lateral façade overlooking the Plaza del Castillo. In the 1930s it was necessary to give the building a new façade at the rear, towards the new Avenida Carlos III el Noble, the main street in the Segundo Ensanche (literally, 'second extension') of Pamplona. This façade was built after the demolition of the southern wall onto the avenue.
- Façade of Avenida San Ignacio: this neoclassical style front looked westwards over the Paseo de Sarasate (Paseo de Valencia at the time). It was created by José de Nagusía in 1850. The central body, with six Ionic-type columns, was crowned by a triangular pediment and holds two large bronze statues by Fructuoso Orduna, representing the Navarrese monarchs Sancho III 'el Mayor' and Sancho VII 'el Fuerte'. In the 'attic', a set of sculptures in marble, also created by Orduna, represents the coat of arms of Navarre flanked by two men.
- Façade of Avenida Carlos III 'el Noble': the east façade of the Palace of Navarre, In neoclassic style, opens out onto Avenida Carlos III 'el Noble', the main street in the Segundo Ensanche of Pamplona. It was designed by the brothers José and Javier Yárnoz Larrosa in 1934. The triangular space of its pediment is completely occupied by an allegory of Navarre from the 16th to the 18th centuries, sculpted by Fructuoso Orduna in 1934, around a matronly figure with a mural crown flanked by the Fine Arts, Agriculture, Livestock, Industry, Arms and Trade
- Staircases
Access to the main floor of the Palace is via a dual and elegant stone staircase, each one with two flights and illuminated by skylights. On the walls are four large tapestries from the 18th century that represent the triumphs of the Church. They were created by Franz Van Der Hecke based on designs by Peter Paul Rubens. Flags of cities and towns of Navarre adorn the balconies that appear on the landings
- Garden
The Garden of the Palace occupies the area covered by the old market garden of the Carmelite convent (1603 -1835) that stood on the site before the Palace of Navarre. It can be seen through the iron railings along Avenida San Ignacio, with the Archive of Navarre in the background. There is a pond with fountains in the centre that was added in 1953.
- Giant sequioa: In the north-western corner of the garden stands a giant sequoia tree. Declared a national monument, it was planted in 1856 and reaches a height of 36 metres. In 1933 it was struck by lightning, which completely cut off its top; despite this setback, it was cleverly recomposed to its present shape.
- Stone vases: around the garden are 16 artificial stone vases that are used as flowerpots for seasonal plants. A motif of the eagle from the old coat of arms of Navarre is sculpted into them.