Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Rio Arga

Puente la Reina ( aka "Gares") was an important place in medieval times, as here the "Camino Aragonés" joined the "Camino Francés". The pilgrims having crossed the Pyrenees via the Somport met their collegues, who had used the Roncevaux Pass. A six-arched-bridge over the Rio Arga gave the name to the town. It was built within the 11th century, commissioned either by Doña Mayor, wife of Sancho III, or by Doña Estefanía, wife of García III of Navarra. The Iglesia del Crucifijo was erected just outside of the town, what explains the old name "Santa Maria de Hortis". It belonged to a convent of the Knights Hospitaller, who supported the pilgrims by operating "hopitals". The church was built within the 12th century, but an older structure had probably already a century ago. It got enlarged by a second nave later, when the number of pilgrims rose, as the Knights Hospitaller offered lodging. The belltower, probably from the 13th/14th century, is crowned by a rather Baroque architecture.

This bridge gave the name to the town. The "Puente la Reina" was commissioned either by Doña Mayor, wife of Sancho III, or by Doña Estefanía, wife of García III of Navarra. For sure, it was a Queen (= Reina), who built this six-arched bridge over the Rio Arga. The bridge is about 110 meters long and 4 meters wide and serves the pilgrims since the 11th century. This bridge marks the end of the "Via Tolosana" and the "Camino Aragonés", as from here on all the pilgrims follow the busy "Camino Francés". Some years ago, after having reached Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (from Vezelay), I had walked the first leg of the "Camino Francés" to Roncesvalles, but walking in such large groups is not my prefered way to move around. So I did not continue. So this ended my walk, but I stayed in the area for a while.