Azqueta (Navarra) (0)

Did you know that... Azqueta

It has a mountainous environment, being as it is, located on the eastern slope of the Monjardín, between it and the Montejurra and on the banks of a tributary of the river Ega. It is geographically part of the valley of Santesteban de la Solana, being the town of Azqueta the capital of the District of Igúzquiza, of which it forms part along with other towns. According to the first written data, since the eleventh century the Monastery of Irache had possessions in Azqueta, which were ceded by the abbot to a knight.

A little more history

Teobaldo II granted it privileges in 1263. Until 1346 it belonged to the church of Pamplona, date in which it was ceded to the king, being definitively incorporated into the crown in 1494 together with Labeaga, Villamayor de Monjardín and Urbiola. When the political-administrative dismemberment of the valley of Santesteban took place in 1845, the town hall of which it forms part was created, among others.

What to see in Azqueta?

The type of constructions in the town of Azqueta take as models of reference those of the sixteenth century. Around the parish church, on Calle Mayor and Calle de San Pedro, there are stately homes of this type and also from the Baroque period. The parish church of San Pedro is of medieval origin. It underwent modifications in the 16th century, which gives it the appearance of being more of a Renaissance Gothic style. It has recently been restored, leaving a mural that was hidden under the wall cladding on the gospel side. The baptismal font is Romanesque.

To discover

Outside the church stands its tower, which taking advantage of its old medieval structures, was rebuilt in 1949. Next to the church is a 16th century building with a cornice decorated with balls in the Catholic Kings style. Next to the town hall we find a beautiful fountain of fresh water and some benches, which make the square a nice place to rest.

Festivities

It celebrates patron saint fiestas on 29 June and on the first Saturday in May it goes on pilgrimage to Monjardín, in September, on the first Saturday it celebrates Valley Day.​

Curiosities

Here lives Pablito the one with the sticks, who always attends to the pilgrim with affection, besides offering him the gift of one of his sticks for the journey. Among the pilgrims it is an honour to carry a stick with the Denomination of Origin Pablito de Azqueta.

The Legend

There is a popular belief that links the Cruz de Monjardín with the Palacio de Igúzquiza, property of the Vélez de Medrano family, to whose municipality the council of Azqueta belongs, apparently this cross disappeared from the palace and it was a shepherd who found it in Monjardín, so its owners understanding the meaning of these disappearances decided that it was there, at the top, where the cross should be.