The Citadel

Together with the Vuelta del Castillo, which surrounds it, the Citadel makes up the great green space in Pamplona, 280,000 square metres in which pavilions, moats, bastions, ravelins, fortifitions, other buildings and gentle slopes are places where the city's inhabitants can relax or enjoy sport or culture. The Citadel, the main architectural focal point in the city of Pamplona, is also considered the best example of military architecture from the Spanish Renaissance and one of the most outstanding defensive fortifications to have been designed in Europe.

The Citadel came into being to protect Pamplona from its enemies following an order by King Philip II in 1571 to start construction work in order to take a stand against the constant incursions of the French army. Its original structure took the form of a regular pentagon, with five bastions in its corners, but the construction of the "Primer Ensanche" (first extension) of the city necessitated the demolition of two of them. The remains of the fort of San Antón came to light during the construction of the Baluarte Congress Centre and Auditorium of Navarre, and were integrated into the design of the building.

Discover the imposing Ciudadela by entering it on foot by the Avenida del Ejército or Vuelta del Castillo.