DESCRIPTION AND WHAT TO SEE IN VIANA
Viana was founded in 1219 by King Sancho the Strong, in order to defend Navarra from the powerful neighboring kingdom of Castile. It was always a walled city just a stone's throw or a catapult's throw from the city of Logroño and suffered numerous sieges. The Vianese always fought bravely and the chronicles say that "no less the maidens than the married ones, disguised in the dresses of their dead brothers and husbands, performed notable feats." All together to defend the Kingdom.
Viana preserves the historic center of what was a walled city. The church of Santa María was declared a national monument in 1931 and has an interesting Renaissance façade and a superb Gothic interior from the XNUMXth century. The other essential visit is the ruins of the churches of San Pedro.
CHURCH OF SANTA MARÍA DE LA ASUNCION
Declared a National Monument since 1931, it is a superb Gothic temple (XNUMXth century) of proportions worthy of a cathedral. Over the centuries it will undergo numerous renovations such as the Renaissance façade, the Baroque altarpieces and the paintings by the famous artist Luis Paret.
TOMB OF CAESAR BORGIA
César Borgia rests from his eventful life in Viana. Renaissance man, cultured and perverse, natural son of a cardinal who would later become Pope, Alexander VI. He was bishop, cardinal, captain of the papal army and constable of the armies of Navarre.
RUINS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH
It has the charm of the ruins and the grandeur of what was an imposing Gothic temple from the 13th century. During the Carlist wars its final ruin occurred, but we can still see the side nave, part of the chancel and the baroque doorway.
VIEWS ON THE HORIZON
At the viewpoint next to the Church of San Pedro we can look out over the walls and on the horizon contemplate the Sierra de Cantabria, the Ebro river and Logroño, in distant times an enemy city and today twinned by closeness and continued friendly treatment.
VIANA CITY COUNCIL
Located in the Plaza de los Fueros, this elegant baroque building provides a counterpoint and closure to the space created around the church of Santa María. It is structured in two rows of pointed arches and balconies, and is finished with two side towers.Read more
PILGRIM HOSPITAL HOUSE OF CULTURE
It was originally the Nuestra Señora de Gracia civil hospital for the poor and pilgrims. It is one of the few Gothic civil buildings from the 15th century that remain in Navarra. Property of the Brotherhood of Vera Cruz, it currently constitutes the House of Culture.
COSO SQUARE
Bullfighting shows are held there. In order for the authorities to have a decent place to witness them, the so-called “bull balcony” was built in 1683, a baroque building with a gallery and unbeatable views over the bullring.
DOORS OF THE WALLS
In each of the cardinal points are the gates that gave access to the city. In the portal of San Felices, King Sancho the Strong laid the first stone for the founding of the town on February 1, 1219, a date that the people of Viana celebrate every year.
