Castillo de Javier
The Castle of Xavier (Basque: Xabierko gaztelua; Spanish: Castillo de Javier) is located on a hill in the town of Javier (Navarre, Spain), 52 km east of Pamplona and 7 km east of Sangüesa. Built in the 10th century, this castle was the birthplace and childhood home of Saint Francis Xavier, son of the Lords of Xavier, hence his surname.
The castle consists of three buildings with different antiquity. The "Tower of the Kristo Santua" is the main fortified building and chapel, holding an interesting Late Gothic crucifix and a series of murals depicting the dance of the death, unique in Spain. the "Tower of Homage", call also the San Miguel Tower, is the oldest in the castle. It also harbours the museum dedicated to the life of the saint. In its foundations Muslim vestiges have been unveiled, possibly dating from the 10th century. In the 11th century, the first enclosure that sheltered the early surround rooms. In the 13th century, two polygonal bodies and two flanking towers were added in all four cardinal directions.
The Castle of Javier is the target of a massive pilgrimage in early March, in honor of the patron saint of Navarre.
Source: Wikipedia
Javier, Navarra, Spain
Castillo de Javier
The Castle of Xavier (Basque: Xabierko gaztelua; Spanish: Castillo de Javier) is located on a hill in the town of Javier (Navarre, Spain), 52 km east of Pamplona and 7 km east of Sangüesa. Built in the 10th century, this castle was the birthplace and childhood home of Saint Francis Xavier, son of the Lords of Xavier, hence his surname.
The castle consists of three buildings with different antiquity. The "Tower of the Kristo Santua" is the main fortified building and chapel, holding an interesting Late Gothic crucifix and a series of murals depicting the dance of the death, unique in Spain. the "Tower of Homage", call also the San Miguel Tower, is the oldest in the castle. It also harbours the museum dedicated to the life of the saint. In its foundations Muslim vestiges have been unveiled, possibly dating from the 10th century. In the 11th century, the first enclosure that sheltered the early surround rooms. In the 13th century, two polygonal bodies and two flanking towers were added in all four cardinal directions.
The Castle of Javier is the target of a massive pilgrimage in early March, in honor of the patron saint of Navarre.
Source: Wikipedia
Javier, Navarra, Spain