HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF MARCILLA CASTLE

Marcilla's life revolves around her imposing 15th century castle. Located in the middle of the town next to it, its inhabitants gather and celebrate their festivals and many visitors come there to learn about its history and climb its crenellated towers, but Marcilla is much more. The Aragón River that bathes its fields has given rise to a landscape of thickets and earthy cliffs of great beauty, rich in flora and fauna. In the surroundings we will find natural walks, recreation areas and numerous tourist services that show us the hospitality of its people. 

Marcilla is very well connected through the highway that connects Pamplona with Tudela. Its location is strategic to discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Navarrese shore. It has high economic activity and has numerous bars and restaurants. The urban development has the castle as its epicenter and the life of the town develops around it.

HISTORY

It is a Gothic fortification built by Mosén Pierres de Peralta in the 15th century during the reign of Charles III the Noble. In addition to being a defensive bastion, it was a palace, that of the Marquises of Falces, descendants of Pierres himself. Highlights include its wide moat, its robust walls, its parade ground, its promenade and its chapel that preserves paintings from the 16th century.

DOÑA ANA DE VELASCO

When Cardinal Cisneros ordered the destruction of the castles of Navarra in 1516, the Castilian troops commanded by Captain Villalva arrived at Marcilla with the intention of demolishing the fortress. With courage and audacity Doña Ana, wife of the Marquis Alonso Carrillo, defended and saved the castle, and this fact gave rise to the most famous legend of Marcilla, immortalized in the film “The Warrior Lady, Doña Ana de Velasco.”

The castle was restored between 2008 and 2012 and currently houses different municipal offices: town hall, library, music school, assembly hall, etc.

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TIPS

-To visit the castle it is necessary to call 948 713 545 in advance from 9:30 a.m. to 14:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The visits are guided and take place on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at 12:00. The approximate duration is an hour and a half.
-The convent of the Augustinian Recollects is another of the historical monuments of interest to visit, highlighting the museum and the historical archive.
-Numerous paths and walks with picnic areas and recreation areas have been enabled. Marcilla has joined the Life+ Mink Territory project that protects this species with a high risk of extinction.

WHAT TO DO AROUND MARCILLA

 

WEATHER

 

With the collaboration of the City Council OFFICIAL WEB

WHAT TO DO IN MARCILLA

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MARCILLA RESTAURANTS

MARCILLA RESTAURANTS
MARCILLA ACCOMMODATIONS

MARCILLA ACCOMMODATIONS
MARCILLA SERVICES

MARCILLA SERVICES
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EVENTS AND ENVIRONMENT IN MARCILLA

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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – MARCILLA

MARCILLA CASTLE and THE BANK OF THE ARAGON RIVER (D: 4,9 Km – circular) It is a short, flat walk that takes us from Marcilla Castle to the fertile bank of the Aragón River. After crossing the town and the crop fields and orchards that surround it, we will reach the Aragón River to travel the first section of the mink route, an animal in danger of extinction that in the area between the towns of Milagro, Funes, Peralta and Falces has a natural area of ​​special protection. Along the way we will find a wetland with a viewpoint and the friendly presence of some ducks.  

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – MARCILLA
MARCILLA FESTIVALS

Perhaps one of the things that the people of Marcilles are best at is keeping their traditions alive and celebrating them as they deserve. The celebrations in Marcilla are varied and accessible, with the aim that everyone who wants can enjoy them. Almost every month there is at least one day of special celebration in which to share the joy of the town and its people. But without a doubt, there are several moments that stand out above the others in terms of the festive program and the influx of people: BIG FESTIVALS The festivities in honor of Saint Bartholomew or “Big Parties”. They take place between the 23rd and 30th of August. They are the most anticipated 8 days to forget the difficulties of the year and immerse yourself in enjoyment. Dianas, brass bands, pipers, giants, dances, fire bulls, concerts, children's performances, running of the bulls, festivals, etc., are part of the program in which there is no shortage of religious acts such as the salve or the procession in honor of the Pattern. Within the festivities (August 27), the “Rabid (hoe) throwing contest” held in the castle moats and […]

MARCILLA FESTIVALS
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MINK TERRITORY – MARCILLA

MINK ROUTE / MARCILLA – FUNES. (D: 13 km – one way) Marcilla is part of the Life+ mink territory project that is committed to the restoration in Navarra of one of the species most at risk of disappearance in Europe, the European mink. The route crosses precisely this territory on a pleasant walk along the banks of the Aragón River to reach the town of Funes. Recommended to do it by bicycle.  

MINK TERRITORY – MARCILLA
MARCILLA HORSE FAIR

Derived from the ancient livestock fair of the town, the Horse Fair stands out, or simply “The Fair”. For three days, around Pilar Day (October 12), Marcilla dresses up again. Specifically, the 12th becomes the absolute Capital of the Horse, a day full of activities and events around this beautiful animal: market, exhibitions, races, contests, exhibitions, etc. There are two other days that accompany the big day. The first of them is marked by the stew competition, which is held in the castle moats, and which has a large participation of the local public. The second focuses on crafts, holding, in the center of town, a large market for handmade products: food, jewelry, toys, household items, etc. In addition to this, “the Fair” has an extensive program for all audiences, similar to that of the “Big Festivals”, with concerts, bull runs, attractions for the little ones and much more.

MARCILLA HORSE FAIR
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XTREME MARCILLA

The Xtreme Marcilla is a very tough mountain bike race, which runs approximately 55 km along the banks of the Arga and Aragón rivers and climbs the mountains that surround the valleys in the towns of Peralta and Funes. A place of bushes and half a mountain that takes us from the Marcilla castle to the historic place of the Peñalén cliff. The race is held in the month of July. More information on Facebook. Another MTB race that the town of Marcilla organizes with special love is the Txuma Sobejano and Juanan Mendívil Memorial. two local fans who died in a road accident. It is celebrated every year around the month of May.

XTREME MARCILLA
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WHAT TO DO AROUND MARCILLA

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Trekking
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BERBINZANA
BERBINZANA

BERBINZANA

In what is now the town of Berbinzana, next to the Arga River, was the Benedictine Monastery of Santa María, which was donated by King García Sánchez III to that of Santa María de Nájera in the 11th century. In the 12th century, Berbinzana was already a town belonging to the Monastery of Santa María de Nájera. In later centuries, the town had various transactions and owners. By the 16th century it was granted the possibility of holding fairs and markets.

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VISITS IN THE SURROUNDINGS

ROUTE AND SURROUNDINGS

OLITE ROUTE - BARDENA BLANCA

TUDELA - BARDENA NEGRA ROUTE

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UJUE

OLIVE MONASTERY

MARCILLA CASTLE

ARGUEDAS

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WHAT TO DO IN NAVARRE
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WHAT TO SEE IN NAVARRA

Here you can find other places of interest in El Turismo Fácil to visit in Navarre, the Basque Country, Lanzarote, Girona, The Rioja, Madrid, Mallorca y the Camino de Santiago.

NAVARRE TOURISM