How to visit the Royal Palace of Olite castle (Navarra): schedules, prices

Do you know that the castle royal palace of olite is most visited monument in Navarra?

Indeed, more than 150.000 people each year visit this Navarrese monument, which is the best reflection of the splendor that the town of olite had during the Middle Ages.

Today, this castle, which was the residence of the kings of Navarre It is the great attraction to visit the beautiful town of Olite, 40 kilometers south of Pamplona, ​​in Navarre.

But if you don't know the history of the Royal Palace of Olite, you wouldn't imagine that this monument was almost completely destroyed in 1813 by a fire.

Curiosities history of the Royal Palace of Olite castle

It was provoked by the general Espoz y Mina during the War of Independence with the aim of ensuring that the fortress was not occupied by French troops invading Spain.

In your visit to the Royal Palace of Olite castle You will have the opportunity to see photographs that show the deplorable state in which this fortress was before being completely restored,

The works began in 1937 and lasted for 30 years.

The origins of Olite Castle They date back to a first fortress that was built during the 13th and 14th centuries on the remains of an ancient Roman fortress.

The result was what is known as the Old Palace, of which the walls and some tower remain, and which currently houses the facilities of the Olite Parador.

The great promoter of Olite castle was the king Charles III the Noble, who reigned in Navarre at the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century.

Of French origin and with a cultured spirit, with various extensions and modifications it led to the Royal Palace of Olite became one of the most luxurious palaces in Europe during the Middle Ages.

El New Palace, which is what you now know as Olite castle, was built in French Gothic style, but after the disappearance of the Kingdom of Navarra in 1512 after his union with Castilla, the palace lost prominence, and little by little it deteriorated.

The fire of the War of independence This meant that only remains of the fortress structure were left standing, as you will see in a model that you will see during your visit.

At the time of carrying out the reconstruction, there was no exact knowledge of the architectural details of the Royal Palace of Olite, which had been destroyed for more than 120 years.

For this reason the architects took certain liberties when constructing the building that you can now visit, such as the slate roofs with which the towers are crowned, similar in style to that of the Alcazar of Segovia, also completely rebuilt.

This termination of the towers is characteristic of French castles.

What to see when visiting the Royal Palace of Olite castle

In any case, when you go through the castle Royal Palace of Olite you have the feeling of being in a great medieval fortress de Gothic style, and you can still imagine the kings, the courtiers and the soldiers walking through its various rooms and walls.

And even more so if you coincide with the making of a period film (which is common in the Olite castle), just as it happened during my visit.

During the visit you will tour its walls made up of large stone walls and the entrance patios, in one of which an impressive mulberry tree will catch your attention.

Inside, the King's Room, and among the towers, the most prominent and spectacular is that of the Homenaje.

Of the interior decoration of the castle, only that of the Chamber of the Casts, since the rest of the units suffered the consequences of the aforementioned fire.

Church of Santa María la Real in Olite

Tu visit of Olite castle It will be incomplete if you do not also visit the next one church of Santa María la Real.

It is also a Gothic style building, with a beautiful façade from the 12th century, and inside with a Renaissance altarpiece from the 17th century.

Schedule to visit the Royal Palace of Olite castle

Under normal conditions, the Visiting hours of the Royal Palace of Olite castle They are in summer, from June to September, every day of the week, from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m., except in June and September, when Monday to Friday they are from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.

This same schedule is the usual one from March to May, except during Easter, which is from 8 a.m. to 19 p.m.

Since there are currently restrictions due to health conditions, here you can consult the Olite Castle schedules.

Royal Palace of Olite castle ticket prices

The ticket prices for free visit On your own it is 3,50 euros for adults; 2 euros for children from 6 to 13 years old, seniors +65 and youth card; and free for children under 6 years old.

Guided tours of the Royal Palace of Olite castle

You also have the option of signing up for one of the guided tours which they do every day, which is the best way to learn about the history and curiosities of this great Navarrese monument.

With a duration of 40 minutes, with the guide you will tour the ground floor and first floor of the palace, and then on your own you will be able to climb the towers.

Here you have all the information about the guided tours of Olite Castle, which must Book in advance.