Santa Criz de Eslava gives a stay in Eslava a distinctive cultural focus: the remains of a Roman forum and the city’s necropolis have been preserved here. The town’s historic buildings and works of art also tell the story of different periods. This means the trip need not be limited to a single archaeological site, without requiring any particular order for visits.

Santa Criz: Roman archaeological site and visit

Santa Criz is the most monumental of the Roman cities preserved in Navarre and probably one of the most impressive in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Its Roman heritage includes a forum and a necropolis. The remains of a monumental defensive wall have also been documented on the protohistoric hillfort of Santa Criz; this finding dates back to the 2025 archaeological campaign.

Guided visits are organised for groups in Santa Criz de Eslava. This offer is made possible through cooperation between Eslava Town Council and the University of Navarre; group visits require a reservation. The tour includes the archaeological site and the exhibition space featuring “Santa Criz de Eslava, reflejos de Roma en Territorio Vascón”. It lasts about two hours and is offered from 15 March to 15 December. Check the booking calendar before your trip, as schedules may change.

Another option is the “Eslava y el vino: Visita a Santa Criz y cata en yacimiento” route. It takes two hours in total and is 4.1 kilometres long. The guided visit and the route are therefore similar in duration, but differ in format: one combines the archaeological site and exhibition, while the other has a specified distance. Check route details and availability before travelling.

History and art in the town

Eslava itself also has various historic landmarks. At the edge of town on the road towards Lerga stands a 16th-century wayside cross. It rests on three square steps and has a prismatic base and a fluted shaft. A heavily altered chapel stands in the upper part of the town. Inside is an expressive 16th-century sculpture of the Crucifixion.

The church in Eslava has medieval origins dating to around 1200. Preserved elements include a medieval tower, choir columns, a crypt and the chancel’s triumphal arch. The streets and squares also retain ensembles such as “Las Agujas”, the megalithic monument “Mirador” and the sculpture group “Los Cipreses”. These bring contemporary art together with the town’s historic masonry. Visitors interested in different forms of history and design will find other specific places to visit in town alongside the Roman archaeological site.

Getting around and the landscape

A signposted path leads from the town centre towards Santa Criz. The tourist signage includes a street sign, a map and nine arrows in total. These point out the town and its main services and tourist attractions. Information about services helps visitors find their way; individual offerings may change.

The wider setting also includes the municipal area of Eslava: two small mountain ranges run to the north and south, separated by a lower, flatter central area. This describes the municipality’s landscape. Together with the signposted route towards Santa Criz, it helps visitors understand the town visits and the archaeological site as different aspects of a stay in Eslava.

Discover more destinations: Lekunberri, Burguete, Undiano, Añorbe, Metauten, Lantz, Oiz, Cabanillas.

For the regional travel overview: Navarre.