Today is the day to visit the home of the Navarros’ main Patros Saint Francis Xabier (1506). Saint Francis was the 5th child of one of the most powerful families in Navarre, his duty in life was to follow his father’s political career, but when he met Saint Ignatius in Paris all changed and he decided to become a priest. Both of them created the Order of Jesus, “the Jesuits”. At his castle we will see some of the rooms of the Saint and specially the Chapel of the “Christ of the Smile”.
From here we will visit the monastery of Leyre, a XII century construction, half monastery, half defensive building. Its unique cript will bring us to the time when time was not important, when the constructions were done once and forever.
After luch we will leave behind us the rigours of monks and saints and we will visit a very joyful place. Constructed as the summer home for king Charles III of Navarre, the royal palace of Olite, is a gothic delight. It will remind us of the palaces of the “Valley of the Loire”, in France. Even Walt Disney felt in love with this palace and the balcony were Sleeping Beauty sleeps is a copy of one of the balconies of the palace.