Villatuerta

Villatuerta is a village in Navarra on the Camino Francés, between Lorca and Estella. It sits in the Iranzu River valley and is one of the last villages pilgrims pass before reaching Estella.

The village has old roots. Roman funerary inscriptions found in the area suggest settlement here in Roman times, and the town later developed along the Camino route between Pamplona and Estella. The Camino has passed through Villatuerta for centuries, making it part of the long chain of villages that supported pilgrims across Navarra.

The main church is the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which has medieval origins and was rebuilt after damage in the 15th century. Just outside the village is the Hermitage of San Miguel, the remains of an old monastery with written references dating back to 1062.

For pilgrims today, Villatuerta is a useful stop before Estella. It has food options, accommodation, and basic services, though Estella has far more choice. There is a swimming pool in the leisure center for those who fancy a swim and some pretty great murals painted on buildings.