The first thing that catches your attention when we approach Corella are the high towers of its two churches, San Miguel and Rosario. The second, walking through its historic center, the numerous palaces that overlook its narrow and winding streets. It is a land of illustrious men: a minister of the navy, a General Director of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, a composer, a writer... lived in their houses, and there were a few months in which even the king of Spain himself, Philip V, sought the shadow in its streets, which he spent waiting for his wife, Queen María Luisa of Savoy, to cure her tuberculosis in the heat of the mild climate of the riverside. From such a glorious past, some chains remain in the house where the king lived, the palaces and the two churches that we saw in the distance, and that closer up, passing through their doors, will surprise us with their rich baroque decoration.
SACRED ART MUSEUM
Founded in 1659, the former baroque convent of the Benedictine nuns currently houses an extensive display of sacred art, including two works by the painter Claudio Coello and a superb Christ tied to the Column in the Mannerist style.
HOUSE OF CHAINS
Residence of the Sesma family, a saga of illustrious men, where the king of Spain, Philip V, lived for a few months. Powerful baroque building, with a shield and chains given to him by the king on its façade in memory of the city's hospitality. from Corella.
ARRESE HOUSE
An old 16th century house located in a privileged position next to the church of San Miguel, it houses an important collection of artistic pieces. After successive renovations, it presents a façade with a shield and decorative mural paintings.
SAN MIGUEL'S CHURCH
The temple is one of the jewels of the Navarrese baroque and owes its fame to its exuberant interior decoration, especially that of the archangel Saint Michael and other angels in risky combat against demons in the heights of the dome.
CHURCH OF THE ROSARY
On the outside, its tall tower stands out, mixing the Mudejar and Baroque styles, and a wide cornice crowned by decorative cylindrical towers. Inside we will enjoy the dome with its ancient paintings and the baroque altarpiece with giant torso columns.
HOUSE OF THE VIRTO DE VERA
Built in 1741, it stands imposing its robust geometry, facing the Plaza de los Fueros. Building representative of the Navarrese-Aragonese baroque, it has a gallery of semicircular arches, decorated balconies and the family coat of arms.
MAIN STREET
On Calle Mayor and its surroundings we will find, in addition to some old palaces such as the Casa de los Goñi or Casa de los Miñano, numerous shops and bars, in what is the most lively area of Corella, especially during hours of leisure and going out. of spikes.p>
Palaces
Walking through the old town of Corella is like going from palace to palace, in what is an interesting sample of the civil architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries of the Ribera Navarra. Highlights include, among others, the houses of the Gorraiz Beaumount, the Sopranis and the Town Hall.
PRACTICAL TIPS
– Corella is a large town, which has grown in disorder and perhaps too quickly, but it has a historic center that is worth knowing.
– The magnificent baroque church of San Miguel is usually closed to tourists, and you can only enter half an hour before mass. We will have to settle for walking through Corella and seeing its many palaces and buildings of interest.
– Calle Mayor has a large number of bars and at certain times it is very lively, making it a good place to go for tapas.
– There is a free official tour of Corella every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30. Meeting point Museum of Sacred Art. More information www.corella.es
WEATHER
WHAT TO DO IN CORELLA
EVENTS IN CORELLA
other FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES
PATRON HOLIDAYS: from August 15 to 19.
PILGRIMAGES: To the White Virgin on May 3 and August 15.
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.
