Estella-Lizarra, Medieval town in Navarre, Spain
Estella-Lizarra is a municipality in Navarre that sits at 421 meters (1,381 feet) elevation between mountains and plains, halfway between Pamplona and Logroño. The settlement spreads along the Ega River, which flows through the center and connects several historic bridges.
King Sancho Ramirez of Pamplona granted the town charter in 1090, establishing the settlement near the fortified site of Lizarra. The new town grew quickly into an important trading center on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
The name combines two traditions: Estella comes from a Latin word for star, while Lizarra is the Basque word for ash tree. Both names are used side by side today, reflecting the bilingual character of the municipality.
The old town is easy to explore on foot, with most Romanesque buildings located along the riverfront and in the narrow streets of the upper town. Sturdy shoes are helpful, as many streets are cobbled and steep.
The saltwater pool Agua Salada is fed by a natural spring whose mineral-rich water has been used since the Middle Ages. Locals swim here regularly and value the special properties of the water.
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