Nagore

In the heart of the village, where steep slopes meet the reflection of the Itoiz reservoir, the stone speaks of times gone by, of stories buried beneath the water. Nagore stands on a transformed landscape, where modern homes coexist with the vestiges of a distant past, marked by the stonework that still preserves the memory of the old village.

The silence of the Romanesque church, watching over from above, and the invisible presence of the ancient thermal baths beneath the northern ground, bear witness to a history of resilience and transformation. It is a place where daily life goes on in a landscape that blends the stillness of the water with the unyielding pulse of the community.

Nagore general information

Nagore, a small municipality in Navarre, lies 35.8 kilometres from Pamplona, embraced by the waters of the Itoiz reservoir. Today, thanks to its 40 inhabitants, the village lives with one foot in the past and the other in the present, in a balance where the traces of history intertwine with the needs of a modern community.

Over the centuries, Nagore has witnessed major transformations. In the Middle Ages, it was a centre for meetings and the custodian of the symbols of the valley’s regiment. But it was the construction of the Itoiz reservoir that reshaped its appearance, displacing the town centre and transforming the landscape. The current homes, with their modern design, incorporate architectural elements recovered from the old farmhouse, creating a harmony between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation.

What to see in Nagore?

In Nagore, the Roman past, medieval art and the river landscape merge into a unique experience of history and nature.

• Church of San Julián el Hospitalario: A 12th-century Romanesque building that overlooks the village from its highest point. Inside, it houses an altarpiece featuring high-quality Hispano-Flemish panels dedicated to various saints, such as Saint Lucy and Saint Sebastian, which reflect the artistic sensibility of 16th-century Navarre.
• Roman Baths: Located just north of the town centre, these museumised remains mark the route of the Roman road Iter XXXIV (Astorga-Bordeaux), highlighting Nagore’s strategic importance as a resting and control point on the route to the Pyrenees.
• Walk along the reservoir: A route along the shore offering views of the valley’s landscape and the still waters that now surround the town.
• Town Hall: The modern building retains an ancient portal from the former town hall, featuring an inscribed cross and a religious inscription, integrating the legacy of the past into the valley’s current administration.
• Baptismal font and Gothic grille: The parish church preserves a medieval font bearing the inscription "oficial de egui" and a 16th-century iron grille separating the clergy’s area from the congregation, showcasing the technical mastery of local craftsmen.