Donamaria Tower

Where the tower watches over the passing of time

Here, where the tower rises, its silhouette of stone and wood forming a gateway to Malerreka , time seems to have stood still since the 15th century. In the presence of the Torre de Donamaria, one senses the echo of ancient lineages and the stillness of the mists that envelop the northern valleys. It is a place of contemplation and steadfastness, where the mineral density of its base and the lightness of its upper timber framework engage in a balanced dialogue, allowing its identity as the ‘House of Planks’ to emerge slowly before those who approach.

Torre de Donamaria general information

It is regarded as one of the most typical examples of the tower-houses of Navarre’s noble families, preserving over 500 years of civil and defensive architecture. Its identity is rooted in a strategic location, rising on a promontory at the entrance to the village to control the passage by the river and the road.

Its history records a transformation from its original function as a watchtower and symbol of feudal power to its later use as a dwelling and farmhouse from the 16th century onwards. Its architecture is spread over four storeys: the two lower ones of thick limestone ashlar and the two upper ones enclosed by a framework of oak or beech timber, known as a ‘cadalso’. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1993 and underwent careful restoration between 2000 and 2001, which restored the essence of its Gothic structure and its original large beams.

How to get to the Tower of Donamaria?

It is situated in the north of Navarre, in the Uxarrea neighbourhood of the town of Donamaria.

• Geographical reference: It is situated some 56 kilometres from Pamplona and a mere 8 kilometres from the Bertiz Natural Park .
• Access by road: You can find it by looking for the entrance to the village, where the tower stands next to the main road, visible from a distance due to its prismatic shape.
• Surroundings: It is situated at a strategic point in Malerreka, very close to the town of Doneztebe/Santesteban .

What to do at the Tower of Donamaria?

This site reveals the coexistence of defensive architecture and rural life.

• Experience the guided tours: A place to discover the history told by its stones through guided tours that allow you to explore its internal structure and the six-century-old wooden floor.
• Exploring the exhibition: Inside, there is an exhibition on its restoration process and the history of tower houses in Navarre, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of this heritage.
• Sensory experience: Its wooden structure has been compared to a music box due to the unique sounds that can be heard inside.
• Hiking through the countryside: The surrounding area invites you to explore the local landscape via selected routes, such as the path leading to the Troskata waterfalls.
• Historical trail through the village: The tour can be rounded off by strolling through the streets of Donamaria to discover the Church of La Asunción or the colonial heritage of the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites.