Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles
The French Gothic Royal Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles, is a copy of the Parisian cathedral of Notre Dame.
King Sancho VII ordered the construction of the Collegiate church in the thirteenth century, as a welcoming church and stopping point for the pilgrims who had just crossed the Pyrenees on their way to Santiago.
At the beginning of the thirteenth century, King Sancho VII ordered the construction of the French Gothic church, that was a copy of the Parisian cathedral of Notre Dame. The most outstanding parts of the building are its cloister, San Agustin chapel, Santiago chapel and the crypt. The crypt has a straight barrel vaulted roof and a pentagonal apse. Its walls and vaults are covered in mural paintings from the thirteenth century. The artistic treasures from the Royal Collegiate Church are housed in an exhibition room that serves as a museum. The most interesting section is that of the precious metalwork, which is exhibited in six display cabinets. The most notable objects are Charlemagne's chess set, a Renaissance silver chest and a wood carving of the Virgin Mary and Child coated in silver. There are also several paintings, books and sculptures that are exhibited.
Opening hours
From 8:00 to 20:00 h.
Address
Calle Única, s/n 31650 Roncesvalles
Tel. +34 948760000 / Fax +34 948790450
Source: Web server of Instituto de Turismo de España, TURESPAÑA.
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