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The Virgin of Roncenvalles

As well as being an important Pilgrimage site for the Camino Roncenvalles is the site of a Pilgrimage of its own for the devotion to the virgin of Roncenvalles.




















The Aezkoa valley Pilgrimage (image taken from http://roncesvalles.es/contenidos.php?idB=6&c=20&s=132&t=&cat=&a=)






Santa Maria de Roncenvalles is considered to be the 'patron' of the southern territories of Navarra and her fraternity now has about 3000 members.

The feast day is celebrated on the 8th of September but it is in May-June when Pilgrimages to Roncenvalles in her honour are done by the Erro, Aezkoa and Arce Valleys, the parishes of San Jose from the Chantrea in Pamplona and from Aoiz as well as the villages of Auritz-Burguete, Luzaide-Valcarlos and Auritzberri-Espinal.






Santa María la Real de Orreaga-Roncesvalles (image from  http://roncesvalles.es/contenidos.php?idB=6&c=20&s=132&t=&cat=&a=) 
The Pilgrimage of the Aezkoa valley is a procession of the mayors and young people of the area dressed in the local clothes of the area.

Others walk in two rows with their heads covered and carrying crosses on their backs. Behind these people walk the penitents barefooted, carrying a rosary and crucifix and wearing a veil.

After this there is a fiesta celebrated in the fields around the monastery.

The Pilgrimage from Oroz Betelu and the Arce valley are done together and records show that it has been celebrated since at least the 16th century.

Pilgrims set off from Oroz Betelu at 6am (Pilgrims from Azparren, Gorraiz, Olaldea and Artozqui)  and from Arrieta at 7am (Pilgrims from Lusarreta, Urdíroz, Uriz, Muniáin, Imizcoz, Saragüeta, Arrieta, Villanueva,  Espoz and Lacave. The groups meet at a crossroad and join up with each town preceded by their own Major singing their own songs. Each Parish has their own cross at the end of their group
When Roncenvalles is reached the Pilgrims sing the litanies and the chapter welcomes the Pilgrims who go into the Church to offer their gifts to the Virgin, celebrate Mass and to confess. after the Mass a meal is shared at the Pilgrims' hostel - mushroom, trout and lamb followed by cuajada.

 Dates of Pilgrimages:
1st May Aezkoa Valley (in the morning) San José de la Chantrea of Pamplona Parish (in the afternoon)
1st Sunday of May Luzaide-Valcarlos
2nd Sunday of May Valle de Arce y Oroz-Betelu (together)
3rd Sunday of May Valle de Erro
4th Sunday of May Aurizberri-Espinal
5th Sunday of May or 1st Sunday of June Auritz-Burguete
June (Sundays) Aoiz Parish
Wendsday before 8th of September Lower Navarra



























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