Chapel San Salvador de Ibañeta, Hermitage church at Roncevaux Pass, Spain.
The Chapel of San Salvador de Ibañeta is a small stone church located at 1,057 meters elevation at Roncevaux Pass. The building with its simple forms serves as a landmark for everyone arriving from France.
The current building was constructed in 1965 after earlier religious structures at this location had been destroyed. Architect José Yarnoz Larrosa designed the chapel as a simple, dignified replacement structure for this historically significant pass.
The chapel marks an important place on the Way of Saint James, where pilgrims from France experience their first encounter with Spain. Thousands of walkers stop here to acknowledge their arrival and bless their journey.
The chapel is easily accessible on foot, reachable both via the N-135 road and along the classic pilgrimage route through the Pyrenees. The location sits relatively open, so visitors can arrive on foot and explore the surrounding area.
This pass is connected to the legendary battle of 778, where Roland, a commander under Charlemagne, lost his life. The events at this historic location continue to shape how travelers imagine this mountain crossing.
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