The origins of Nájera date back to pre-historic times, and it has lived through the Iberian, Celtic, Pelendon, Vascon, Beron and Romanic periods, although the name itself appears to be Arabic (Naxara, or place between crags). It was in the 10th and 11th centuries that it reached its greatest importance and became the

capital of the extensive Kingdom of Nájera-Pamplona, the highlight of which was the reign of Sancho III the Great (1004-1035). Sancho III introduced the famous Nájera Legal Code, the origin of Navarran Legislation and the basis of national law that transformed Nájera into a key point on the Route of St James. At his death, his land was divided between his children, with his son Don García staying in Nájera. He went on to found the Santa Maria la Real Monastery (Romanic) and the San Millán de Yuso Monastery. He instituted the Order of the

Knights of Tenaza and died in the Battle of Atapuerca against his brother Fernando, the King of Castile. Alfonso VIII, born in Nájera, later annexed the Kingdom of Nájera to Castile.

Nájera also witnessed the proclamation of Fernando III (called the Saint) as King of Castile, and the Battle of Nájera between Pedro I the Cruel and Enrique de Trastamara

Santa Maria la Real Monastery (Nájera)

Founded in 1032 by King Don García Sanchez III, on the site where he had found an image of the Virgin Mary. In addition to a floor of gothic origin, the monastery is noteworthy on account of its spectacular Knights’ Cloisters in the gothic style and its valuable choirstalls. The Kings’ Mausoleum is found inside the church, where the Tomb of Doña Blanca de Navarra and the 14th century engraving of the Virgin merit a special mention.

Today Nájera is a town with 8,000 inhabitants, an important furniture industry and an old town containing the Romanic Santa Maria La Real Monastery. The old town sits on the left bank of the river Najerilla, an excellent trout stream, with a beautiful tree-lined boulevard to the right, where the new town begins. Interesting architectural remants are to be found in the historic centre and the Jewish quarter (town wall, the Cultural Museum…) The Clarisas Convent on the other side of the river is also of interest.