Donamaria places a strong emphasis on culture and architectural history. Jauregia represents civil defensive and residential tower architecture; the Iglesia de la Asunción is defined by its floor plan, vault and furnishings. There is also a place of historical remembrance, a shared water heritage and trails of varying lengths. When planning, you can balance architectural history, local remembrance and time spent on foot.

Jauregia and church architecture

Jauregia, also known as “Casa de Tablas,” is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural and is one of the last surviving examples of this type of civil architecture in Navarre. The building has four floors: two made of stone and two made of wood or featuring a wooden defensive gallery (cadalso). Its structure makes it possible to see how residential and defensive tower architecture were combined in a single building. An exhibition at Jauregia is devoted to the palace’s restoration and the history of defensive and residential towers in Navarre.

At the Iglesia de la Asunción, the architecture can be explored from the floor plan to the furnishings. The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a barrel vault above it featuring lunettes. The lunettes intersect the vaulted surface as smaller vault sections, giving it structure. The cylindrical bell tower has a conical roof and was completed in 1846. The main altarpiece is also described in detail: it dates from the 19th century, consists of three panels and is decorated with figures. The church’s inventory also includes a large stone baptismal font. Its relief features stylized geometric plant motifs, and four trefoil arches are set into the front.

Remembrance and rural heritage

The Sima de Legarrea in Gaztelu (Donamaría) is designated as a Lugar de Memoria Histórica de Navarra. The exhumation of the dead at the sinkhole in September 2016 confirmed that the account handed down was true; on 30 September 2020, the site was designated as a historical place of remembrance in Navarre. This topic therefore centers on both the remembrance of the story passed down and the official designation.

Further heritage sites can be found in Gaztelu: the Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán dates from 1772. The Lavadero y fuente de Gaztelu preserves a traditional shared water heritage. Together with the churches and Jauregia, these sites broaden the perspective from individual architectural forms to the area’s different historical and community themes.

Trails of varying lengths

The 2 km walk from Donamaria to Artze follows a well-paved path through wooded areas and to viewpoints overlooking the valley. The 4.6 km route between Askarraga and Donamaria runs along mountain trails and paved sections, as well as a short stretch of road near Jauregia. The longer route is therefore more than twice as long and has a mix of surfaces.

To compare the two routes, both distance and terrain are useful considerations: the walk to Artze offers valley views along a well-paved path, while the route between Askarraga and Donamaria includes different types of trail. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Ochagavía, Lérruz, Uterga, Corella, Oiz, Legaria, Ituren, Arribe.

For the broader travel overview: Navarre.