Puente la Reina

One of the most iconic bridges on the entire Camino. This 11th-century six-arched Romanesque bridge over the Rio Arga was built specifically for pilgrims and gave the town its name. Walk across it slowly. Thousands of pilgrims have crossed this bridge for nearly a thousand years. You are walking in their footsteps.

Puente la Reina is where the two main pilgrim routes into Spain, the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees and the Somport Pass route from Aragon, merge into a single path to Santiago. A monument at the entrance to town marks this historic junction. From here, there is only one Camino.

A 12th-century Romanesque church at the entrance to town, originally run by the Knights Templar. Inside is a remarkable Y-shaped crucifix, said to have been brought from Germany by a medieval pilgrim. The unusual shape of the cross makes it one of the most distinctive religious carvings on the Camino.

The main street runs the entire length of the old town, from the Iglesia del Crucifijo at one end to the bridge at the other. Lined with stone houses, small shops, and pilgrim bars, it is a lovely evening stroll. Grab a cold drink at one of the terrace bars and watch the late-afternoon light hit the stone.

Halfway along the Calle Mayor, this Romanesque church features a beautifully carved doorway with scallop shell motifs. The interior is simple but atmospheric. Look for the carved capitals on the columns, each one telling a different story.