Arre to Cizur Minor - 16.5km (Total 91.4km) Day 6

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Arre to Cizur Minor - 16.5km (Total 91.4km) Day 6

The next morning in Pamplona we farewelled one of the South Africa couples Rob and Barbara (after 4 days of sharing the Camino) and we were invited to visit them in their home country. We spent most of the morning looking at the citys historical sights again and had an enjoyable day. The old pilgrim building is now going to be a 5 star hotel and the new albergue has been moved - we did eventually find it after many twists and turns and asking of directions to several locals.
Walked to Cicur Minor which is just outside of Pamplona and stayed at the Albergue Anjuanista run by the Knights of St. John and our newly appointed hospitaleros were husband and wife Juan and Maria Jose who had just done their training 1 month before. They cooked Tortillas, Pasta and Breakfast for the price of a donation. They were very generous and genuine people who have been pilgrims themselves, just a most of the hospitaleros. We were very lucky they were available to accommodate the albergue because it usually opens in June. Juan and Maria-Jose live in Barcelona, we had a very long chat about our lives, being pilgrims and working as hospitaleros.
Cicur Menor is a cute little town with great views from various spots in the town, including the trail leading up the western mountain ranges that show the tiny specs of windmills and of Pamplona spread on the opposite side. The late afternoon gave us very overcast clouds and great photo opportunities. Well, at least there was some excitement waiting for the following day.

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Photos

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Arre - monument of one of the town plazas.

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Arre Typical street with council building (with flags).

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Arre -

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Entering Pamplona via the drawbridge and the Portal de Zumalacarrei or 'Portal de Francia'. This portal has let in many pilgrims into its walled city over the centuries.

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Pamplona

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Pamplona

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona street

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona Cathedral at entrance

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona Cathedral entrance pillars.

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona Pilgrim's Hostel. Newly opened in 2007. The old church of the Convent of the Jesuits was built at the end of the 16th century on the site of the old Roma Baths in the area called 'the pilgrim neighbourhood'. The parish church of St John the aptist was converted into the pilgrim's hostel in the second half of the 20th century. The dormitories occupy the aisles and the central space is used for community activities such as exhibitions or concerts.

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona Pilgrim's Hostel. Newly opened in 2007. The old church of the Convent of the Jesuits was built at the end of the 16th century on the site of the old Roma Baths in the area called 'the pilgrim neighbourhood'. The parish church of St John the aptist was converted into the pilgrim's hostel in the second half of the 20th century. The dormitories occupy the aisles and the central space is used for community activities such as exhibitions or concerts.

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona lunching in the gardens by St. Nicolas Gate in the background. The gate is a baroque recreation of a triumphal arch that was originally one of the six points of entry into the old walled city. It was built in 1660 and transfered to the present site in 1929 after the walls were knocked down to expand the city.

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona lunching in the gardens by St. Nicolas Gate.

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Arre to Cizur Minor - Pamplona St. Nicolas Gate. The gate is a baroque recreation of a triumphal arch that was originally one of the six points of entry into the old walled city. It was built in 1660 and transfered to the present site in 1929 after the walls were knocked down to expand the city.

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Pamplona - large paved star along trail through park greens.

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Pamplona - On outsckirts of Pamplona, we leave via c/ Fuente del Hierro. Crucero to guide pilgrims on their way to Santiago after crossing the rio Sagar pilgrim bridge.

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Pamplona - On outsckirts of Pamplona, we leave via c/ Fuente del Hierro. Crucero to guide pilgrims on their way to Santiago after crossing the rio Sagar pilgrim bridge. Incription on Crucero.

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Pamplona to Cicur Minor - with view of the small town up the hill on the left.

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Cizur Menor - Encomienda de la Orden the Malta. 12th century church, with its unique and only remaining tower.

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Cizur Minor - Entrance of the Temple Encomienda de la Orden de Malta. The church was a protective military order which was obliged to protect the needy under the religous order of the catholic church and its humanitarian service.

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Cizur Minor - view of wheat fields from Albergue

Comments

[Erin]

PAMPLONA!
Glad to see you made it out to Pamplona! If you go back during the San Fermin festival, you can view the bull run from a safe distance in a balcony above the street or even rent a place alone to bull run. Glad you here you had a great pilgrimage! Here are some helpful websites: http://www.sanfermin.com and http://www.pamplonabalconies.com