Saint Mary of Eunate

Though, there is not much information about the origins of this wonderful, octogonal church, it has probably been an important place for the pilgrims since the 12th century, as from here to Puente la Reina, where the "Camino Aragonés" / "Via Tolosana" joins the busy "Camino Francés" is only a short walk. The church stands completely isolated, as it was not erected in or near a village, but in the middle of fields.

The floorplan of Saint Mary of Eunate is surely inspired by the "Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem". Such churches (eg Tomar, Estrella, Pisa..) are often connected to the Knights Templar, but there no proof, that they have ever been in this area. The earliest documented reference is from 1487 and just mentions the "Virgin of Eunate", but at that time, the church was already centuries old.

There are a couple of carved capitals inside Saint Mary of Eunate. The strange point is that they differ widely in quality, probably as well in age. Here is one of the more sophisticated ones, depicting threatening lions between entangling vines. Dangers of the camino.