Pamplona is marking the 603rd anniversary of the Privilegio de la Unión with a historic replica of its original coat of arms, four musical events, and a medieval fair running from Friday through Sunday. According to reporting by Europa Press, the celebrations anchor the city’s modern identity in a treaty signed by King Charles III that united the three burgos that integrated the city.
Return of the Historic Pamplona Coat of Arms
A polychrome replica of Pamplona’s original coat of arms has returned to the Casa Consistorial. The high-relief resin piece features two angels flanking the municipal arms, adhering strictly to the design specifications laid out by King Charles III in the foundational document. Pamplona Mayor Joseba Asiron Saez, Economic Promotion Councilor Mikel Armendáriz Barnechea, and historian and writer Mikel Zuza Viniegra presented the new municipal addition.
Technical and historical documentation supports the reproduction, which draws from a stone shield acquired from the Huarte family in 2022 and housed in the Palacio del Condestable. Historical analysis by Mikel Zuza dates the original execution between the mid-1590s and the 1630s, indicating it likely decorated the facade of the primitive Casa Consistorial. The newly installed shield will sit in the municipal hallway, while historian Mikel Zuza will deliver a lecture detailing its origins on Friday, September 4, at the Palacio del Condestable.
Four Musical Concerts Highlight the Anniversary Weekend
Musical performances take center stage across Civivox Pompelo and the Plaza del Castillo from Thursday to Sunday, according to Europa Press. The Kutxa Sonora at Civivox Pompelo hosts ticketed events priced at 10 euros, while all Plaza del Castillo concerts are free to the public.
The anniversary schedule breaks down across four distinct dates, according to Europa Press:
- Thursday: The chamber ensemble Oiasso Kamerata Ganbera Orkestra and pianist Itxaso Aristizabal Lekuona launch the festival at Civivox Pompelo with Regresando del olvido, a tribute concert reviving the musical heritage of pianist, composer and professor Valentín Larrea Iturbe (1876–1970).
- Friday: La Pamplonesa performs at the Plaza del Castillo under the direction of Carlos Sancho Cantus, playing arrangements of hits by the Beatles, Queen, Michael Jackson, Coldplay, and Santana. Four pieces—New York 1927, The King of Rock’n Roll, Michael Jackson Hit Mix, and Coldplay in Symphony—receive their first performances by La Pamplonesa.
- Saturday: The Navarre Symphony Orchestra (OSN), led by artistic and titular director Perry So, performs compositions by Dvořák and Brahms at the Plaza del Castillo, featuring selections from the Slavonic Dances and Hungarian Dances.
- Sunday: A triple bill features three local artists at the Plaza del Castillo, starting with singer Aurora Beltrán at 6:00 p.m., followed by the travesti musical and artistic collective Maruxak at 6:45 p.m., and concluding with Geminiss, the pseudonym of composer and lyricist Olaia Bloom, at 8:00 p.m.
Fairs, Markets, and Civic Traditions
Street celebrations complement the musical lineup throughout the old quarter. The historic center hosts a Gran Feria Medieval from Friday through Sunday. Simultaneously, the second edition of Autentika, a fair showcasing indigenous livestock breeds of Navarre, expands its footprint in the Runa Park in Rochapea, running from Friday afternoon until Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Civic recognitions also mark the anniversary week, including the presentation of the Pamplona Scarf (Pañuelo de Pamplona – Iruñeko Zapia) to the Asociación Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos de Pamplona. Free guided tours of the Casa Consistorial run from Thursday, September 3, through September 11, offering residents and visitors access to view the newly returned coat of arms.
Worth a look