Castle of Javier
Castillo de Javier
Birthplace of St. Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Jesuits. A well-restored medieval castle.
This medieval castle was built from the 10th century onward. In 1506, the Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Society of Jesus, was born here. He later travelled to India and Japan as a missionary and died on Shangchuan Island, off the coast of China. The castle has been restored, and visitors can explore its towers, living quarters and a small museum, which houses a rare 'Dance of Death' mural. Every March, tens of thousands of pilgrims walk here from across the region. Admission is about 3 euros. The castle is about 52 km from Pamplona and is often combined with Leyre Monastery and the Lumbier Gorge in one day trip.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–13:30, 15:30–18:30
Nearby sights
- Monastery of Leyre
- Foz de Lumbier
- Ujué
- Irati Forest
- Roncesvalles
- Royal Palace of Olite
- Plaza de Toros de Pamplona
- Monumento al Encierro