The history of Olite goes back a long way – so long, in fact, that few cities in the world can boast of having had such a long life.

Touring Olite means going back in time. The Middle Ages are present in its streets, palaces and corners. The impassive Castillo (‘The Castle') keeps watch over the lives of its citizens. Olite, a city that once hosted a royal court, is also a land of famous wineries and wine of the highest quality.

From local archaeological ruins we know that, during the Roman Empire (1st Century, A.D.), a small hill was defended by a strong defensive belt. This was the original settlement of the medieval town. In addition, remains of Roman villas have been found around the present-day city.

Saint Isidore of Seville, in his Historia de Regibus Gothorum (History of the Gothic Kings), makes the first written reference to Olite: according to this former Bishop of Seville, the Goth king Suintila founded the city in 621, later refortifying it in defence against the Basques.

After the dark centuries, the town of Olite entered a period of splendour during the Low Middle Ages as one of the favourite seats of the kings of Navarre. In the 15th century King Charles III, “The Noble”, and his wife, Leonor of Trastámara , began construction on the splendid Palacio Real de Navarra (Royal Palace of Navarre) in Olite, which is reflection of the magnificence of these times.