VIANA

DESCRIPTION AND WHAT TO SEE IN VIANA

Viana was founded in 1219 by King Sancho el Fuerte, in order to defend Navarre from the powerful neighboring kingdom of Castile. It was always a walled city a stone's throw or catapult shot from the city of Logroño and suffered numerous sieges. The Vianese always fought bravely and the chronicles tell us that "the maidens no less than the married ones, disguised in the clothes of their brothers and dead husbands, performed notable feats." All together to defend the Kingdom.

Viana preserves the historic center of what was a walled city. The church of Santa María was declared a national monument in 1931 and has an interesting Renaissance façade and a superb Gothic interior from the 13th century. The other essential visit is the ruins of the churches of San Pedro.

CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DE LA ASUNCION

Declared a National Monument since 1931, it is a superb Gothic temple (13th century) with proportions worthy of a cathedral. Over the centuries it will undergo numerous reforms such as the Renaissance façade, the Baroque altarpieces and the paintings by the famous artist Luis Paret.

TOMB OF CAESAR BORGIA 

César Borgia rests from his eventful life in Viana. Renaissance man, cultured and perverse, natural son of a cardinal who would later become Pope, Alexander VI. He was bishop, cardinal, captain of the pontifical army and constable of the armies of Navarre.

RUINS OF THE CHURCH OF SAN PEDRO 

It has the charm of the ruins and the grandeur of what was once an imposing Gothic temple from the 13th century. During the Carlist wars its final ruin occurred, but we can still see the side nave, part of the chancel and the Baroque portal. Read more

VIEWS OVER THE SKYLINE

At the viewpoint next to the Church of San Pedro we can look over the walls and on the horizon contemplate the Sierra de Cantabria, the Ebro River and Logroño, in distant times an enemy city and today twinned by the closeness and continuous and friendly treatment.

VIANA CITY COUNCIL

Located in the Plaza de los Fueros, this elegant baroque building provides a counterpoint and closure to the space created around the church of Santa María. It is structured in two rows of pointed arches and balconies, and is finished off with two lateral towers.

HOSPITAL FOR PILGRIMS HOUSE OF CULTURE

It was originally the civil hospital for the poor and pilgrims Nuestra Señora de Gracia. It is one of the few Gothic civil buildings from the 15th century that are preserved in Navarra. Property of the Vera Cruz Brotherhood, it currently constitutes the House of Culture.

COSO SQUARE

Bullfighting shows are held there. In order for the authorities to have a decent place to witness them, the so-called “balcón de toros” was built in 1683, a Baroque building with a gallery and unbeatable views over the bullring.

DOORS OF THE WALLS

In each one of the cardinal points the doors that gave access to the city are located. In the portal of San Felices, King Sancho el Fuerte laid the first stone for the foundation of the town on February 1, 1219, a date that the people of Vianese celebrate every year.