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Pamplona Citadel
Philip II ordered the fortress to be built in 1571 to strengthen the defence of Pamplona after the conquest of Navarre. The project was by Giacomo Palearo, with the viceroy Vespasiano Gonzaga, and was laid out as a five-pointed star with bastions covering every front; the works were well advanced by about 1645. In 1685 and at the start of the 18th century, ravelins and counterguards were added in the Vauban style. It lost its military function in 1964, passed to the City Council in 1966 and was declared a national monument in 1973. Today it is a large green space with cultural facilities and preserves historic buildings such as the gunpowder store of 1694 and the Armoury of 1725, together with the Pabellón de Mixtos and the Horno, which are used as exhibition halls. It lies to the south of the Ensanche, next to the Taconera and the Vuelta del Castillo.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Pamplona Citadel: 3 missions
- Walk along the bastions and look at the moatGo up onto the walls and walk round the enclosure following the pointed bastions, looking down at the moat from above.
- Step into an exhibition hall in the enclosureVisit one of the halls (Pabellón de Mixtos, Polvorín, Horno or Sala de Armas) during opening hours and see what is on display.
- Find the Polvorín and the Sala de ArmasFind the historic buildings of the gunpowder store (1694) and the Armoury (1725) inside the enclosure and look at how they were built.
Near Pamplona Citadel
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Pamplona Citadel?
Visiting Pamplona Citadel is free.
What are the opening hours of Pamplona Citadel?
Salas de exposiciones (Pabellón de Mixtos, Polvorín, Horno y Sala de Armas): martes a sábado 11:30-13:30 y 18:00-20:30; domingos y festivos 11:30-13:30. El recinto cierra al paso en fechas de preparación de fuegos artificiales.
How much time do you need for Pamplona Citadel?
Allow about 1 h 30 min for the visit.