· Home page · · Contact · The enclave The history Heritage The Jacobean Way The setting Service guide  · THE HISTORY From the beginning, Roncesvalles' strategic location in the middle of the Pyrenees favoured development of Orreaga- Roncesvalles itself as an essential point for the travellers and the soldiers who wanted to cross the Pyrenean mountain range. The travel of many different people made many cultures meet around the area, even though their cultural legacy did not remain in the area. Although Roncesvalles has always been an important communication route, it became famous with Charlemagne's campaign in Spain. In the course of this retreat, after he lost the battle in Zaragoza, Roland the hero, with the French rearguard, was defeated in the deep hollow of Luzaide-Valcarlos. Although in the beginnings of the 9th century, the worship of Santiago and the veneration of his remains began,The exact moment in which the pilgrimages began is unknown. In any case, it was not until the beginning of the 10th century, once the Christian monarchy succeeded and consolidated itself, when the movement of pilgrims became safer. In 1127, the bishop from Pamplona, the prelate Sancho De Larrosa, decided to create a fraternity joined by priests and lay people, which was going to be in charge of taking care of the pilgrims nearby Orreaga- Roncesvalles. The politic circumstances turned that small hospital, into a very important assistance centre. 13th century was a very outstanding period for Navarra and also for Orreaga- Roncesvalles, which underwent an important process of growth and expansion. Due to this flowering process, the chapter strengthened itself as an independent and strong chapter and its territories and its ecclesiastic rights were extended, a privilege which continued during the 14th century. The Collegiate received very important economic support as a result of the process that it had been through. At the end of 13th century its statutes noted about 60 people established there. Orreaga- Roncesvalles had such a good economic position that they even lent money to the Crown. When the patrimony stopped rising, they focussed all their efforts on managing what they already had. The difficult years from the past century are followed by a century of vitality with the prior Francisco de Navarra. This prior advised by another illustrious member of the cultural world of this period, Martín de Azpilicueta, decided to end the hospital's disorganisation and also the economical difficulties. With the French Revolution in 1789, the monarchy and the principles in which all the regimes in Europe in the last century had been based, collapsed. Orreaga- Roncesvalles and the valleys nearby suffered during this time because of the numerous wars that took place. The 20th century was a period of peace. The nominations of canons and priors, some projects to renovate the statutes, the teaching activities and not too much assistance work, increased by the revived pilgrimages during the second half of the century. All these have been the features of these last 100 years. During the seventies a very intense reform of the rules, which managed the activities of the regular canon's chapter of San Agustín, took place. This reform and a new resurgence of the Jacobean Way, happened at the same time and a special devotion to the Virgin from Roncesvalles was shown in all the pilgrimages. List of all the priors who have managed the Collegiate of Roncesvalles since the hard beginning in the 12th century, until the crisis in the 19th century and the resurgence of the Jacobean Way.