Parador de Olite Principe de Viana

Spain - Navarra - Olite

Three star hotel in a medieval castle in the Pyrenees region

The former Kingdom of Navarra has had a very turbulent past. The area used to be inhabited by the Vascons but they were driven northwards by the Moors and are the ancestors of the present day Basques.

Charlemagne drove out the Moors in 778 but later that year was driven back which is the subject of the twelfth century French epic "The Song of Roland". France regained control later. The three hundred years from 1234 were particularly turbulent as the Navarrese noblemen tried to regain independence. The French were finally defeated with the help of the King of Castile in 1512 when it became part of Spain.

The castle was built by King Carlos III of Navarra in the early 1500's and was his summer residence until his death in 1425. Later his grandson, the Prince of Viana, lied in the castle.

During the Napoleonic wars it suffered sever damage and was restored to its former glory about one hundred years ago.

This Parador occupies one wing of this castle which has been declared a National Monument by the government.

The decor of the interior maintains the medieval atmosphere, in particular the main salon, which is delightful with an enormous fireplace and large wrought iron chandeliers.

In a niche, there is a suit of armour and reliable reports say that it no longer has a knight inside!

Therewith very beautiful stained glass windows on the staircase and in the dining room, arcades and ornamental details such as armour, rugs, wrought iron lamps and wooden coffered ceilings.

The Parador restaurant will offer you the delicious products from Navarra. The menu includes:

"Pimentos rellenos" which are stuffed red peppers;
"Trucha la Navarra" being the local cooked trout;
"Magras de cerdo con tomate", ham cooked in a tomato sauce;

A wine to try is the white wine (blanco) from nearby Ochao and the red wine served in all the Paradors from the bodegas of Marques de Caceres.

In Olite you will feel the charm of the Middle Ages while visiting the Royal Palace, the churches of Santa Maria and San Pedro, and the medieval galleries.

This town is the capital of wine of Navarra and has seven separate commercial 'cellars'. A visit to the fifteenth century ”Bodegas Carricas” is suggested.
If staying at the Parador at the beginning of July, visit Pamplona for the festival of ”San Fermin”. Caution is advised unlike the Englishman who first sampled copiously the local wine and then joined in the 'bull-running' with disastrous results.

On other dates, visit the town to see the ”Ciudadela” (fortress) and the walls of Zumalacarregui gate.

In Olite, the local festival is the "Exaltacion de la Cruz" which takes place on September 13th.

The mountains of the Pyrenees are superb to the lovers of mountain sports. In particular the reception is able to arrange a rafting trip along a swift flowing mountain river.
This Parador has thirty three twin bedded rooms, two rooms with a double bed, one single room and seven suites.

All the rooms have private bathrooms. The bedrooms also have a telephone, satellite television, a safe and a mini bar.

These guest rooms are very tastefully furnished and many have balconies with views over the pine woods.

The hotel has air conditioning and contains a restaurant and bar. Facilities are available to hold business meetings.

Animals are not allowed.

Directions

The Parador is set on the banks of the river Cidacos, strategically located on the plains. Olite is situated 5 km from Tafalla, and the main access route is the main N-121 road.