Stage 9: Nájera - Santo Domingo de la Calzada

The population of Nájera, with 8,400 inhabitants, is growing every year. Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning "between cliffs", which refers to the origin and character of the city..

Sancho the Great made Nájera the capital of Navarre in the 11th century. Its monastery and the church of Santa María la Real were founded in 1052 by King García, son of King Sancho.

The interior of the church is much more beautiful than the exterior. The three-nave church has a magnificent baroque altarpiece, but there are other treasures here. You can visit the cave where Garcia discovered the statue, which is still in the same place.

The Plateresque pantheon houses the tombs of the kings of Navarre. There are four tombs of great interest: The tomb of Doña Blanca is the best preserved, but other interesting tombs are those of Sancho Abarca founder of Castile, Sancho VI the Builder and, of course, that of García who founded the monastery and the church.

You will walk among beautiful vineyards and cereal crops in another of the longest stages of this French Way.

Leaving Nájera behind, the French Way continues along a dirt track through pine trees and fields, towards Azofra.

After Azofra, there is the option of walking along the detour to visit the Canas Monastery. Pilgrims often choose not to climb the hill, and instead walk along the N120 directly to their destination, Santo Domingo de la Calzada.