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The Royal 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.