Olite

We did not stay in Pamplona but in a small medieval town about a 30 minute drive away at the Parador de Olite.  Olite has changed little since the Middle Ages and still has remnants of its Roman towers and walls as well as its new walls built in the 15th century.  It also has one of the most outstanding castle-palace buildings in the region.  The Royal Palace was built by Charles lll in 1424 and it became his favorite palace and made it the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Navarro. Today Olite's 4,000 inhabitants rely mainly on tourism and viticulture for employment.
 

 The spectacular royal palace of Olite was built in 1424.

The state owned Parador hotel chain renovated the original palace built in the 13th century.  With its two lookout towers and thick stone walls it was built to fulfill a military function and was located on the former Roman site.  The castle-palace was built and used by Navarro monarchs and was known as the palace of the King of Navarro until the new one was built.  After the new palace was completed, the old palace would have then been used as stables, kitchens and storage for the King. 

The Roman Chapitel tower was originally a goods control point for Olite.  Today it accesses the newer medieval part of town from the original part of town

  Plaza de Carlos lll is situated between the inner Roman wall and the outer medieval wall.  The 15th century Royal Palace is in the background.

One of the newer medieval streets constructed in the 15th century