It was one of the first hospitals established in the Kingdom of Navarre to care for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
The monastery hosted the first university in Navarre, granted by Pope Paul V in 1615.
The complex houses two distinct cloisters, one reflecting the Plateresque style and the other the severe Herrerian aesthetic.
The site functioned as a military hospital during the Carlist Wars in the 19th century.
The church's portal is a notable example of Romanesque sculpture in the region.
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Irache is a historic Benedictine site located in Ayegui, Navarra, situated directly on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. Founded in the 8th century, the monastery served as a pilgrim hospital, university, and military hospital throughout its long history. Its architecture spans centuries, featuring an 11th-century Romanesque church, a 16th-century Plateresque cloister, and a 17th-century Herrerian-style cloister. The site is physically connected to the Irache Winery, known for its historic 'wine fountain' which offers free wine to pilgrims. The complex structure highlights the transition from Romanesque to Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. It served as a university from 1569 until 1824, one of the first of its kind in the region.
The view of the Romanesque apse from the exterior courtyard provides the best perspective of the building's oldest masonry.
Bring a reusable cup to sample the wine from the nearby fountain located on the exterior monastery wall.
Check the local municipal tourism office for guided tour availability as parts of the interior are only accessible via tour.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Montejurra slopes.
Do not mistake the adjacent winery buildings for the monastery entrance; follow signs specifically marked for the monastic complex.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
Maintain a quiet tone appropriate for a site of historical religious significance; cover shoulders if entering active or semi-active chapels.
