Building of old Archivo General de Navarra

The former Archivo General de Navarra is a palace with north and west wings sitting on a high plateau in Pamplona's Old Town. The structure blends medieval stonework with modern archival facilities that allow it to safely house and preserve important historical documents.

King Sancho VI the Wise commissioned this palace in the 12th century, and it later became a residence for bishops and Navarrese monarchs. Over time, the building underwent modifications and expansions to serve different purposes before taking on its current role as an archive.

This palace served as a seat of power for centuries and continues to shape how visitors experience the Old Town today. Walking through the rooms, one senses the connection between the stone walls and the many generations who lived and ruled within them.

Finding the building requires some navigation since it sits tucked within the Old Town with minimal signage marking its location. It helps to research the exact address beforehand, and during rainy weather, the inner courtyards and arcaded passages provide shelter while exploring.

Beneath the building lies a preserved Romanesque crypt with six rib vaults from an earlier construction phase. Nearby sits an old cylindrical ice house that reveals how people stored and preserved food before modern refrigeration existed.