Pamplona is the capital and largest city of the region of Navarra in northern Spain.Pamplona sits just south of San Sebastián and North of the charming town of Laguardia.
The history of this region dates back to the first century B.C. when the Romans founded Pompaelo on an old Vascon settlement.
The city was founded by Roman general in 75 B.C. The romans established the settlement in the same place where the Cathedral now stands, and where the ancient Vascons had also settled in the past.
During the Middle Ages the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Navarra. The city was divided into 3 walled neighborhoods: Navarrería, San Cernin and San Nicolás and the inhabitants of each borough held fierce animosity to inhabitants of the others. In 1423 after continuous battles between the cities residents King Carlos III ‘el Noble’ signed the ‘Privilege of Union’ making Pamplona a single city and a new City Hall was built, a coat of arms was created and the building of more internal fortifications was prohibited.
Navarra has long been a strategic point of defense against France and its status as a city-fortress was strengthened with the building of the Citadel in the 16th century.