Church

The history of the sanctuary is closely linked to that of the fortress, and it is likely that a pre-Romanesque temple was built at the same time as the fortress at the end of the 8th or beginning of the 9th century. This church was succeeded by another one at the beginning of the 11th century, which seems to follow the modelof the cathedral of Jaca, built by Sancho Ramírez, which in turn was replaced by another church, of which only the present-day chevet remains, built in the last quarter of the 11th century. The naves of this church were replaced in the first half of the 14th century by a single Gothic-style nave, in a solution very similar to that of the monastery of Leire. Contrary to what is usually the case, the nave was begun at the foot of the church, and the work was interrupted for unknown reasons when only the chancel was still to be built. During this period, a perimeter circuit was also built around and masks the church, passing under the buttresses, and which integrates the tower located on the Epistle side, which dates from the Romanesque period, from the end of the 12th century, but which has been greatly modified throughout history, and which is known as the 'Tower of the peaks', a second tower of smaller dimensions, known as the 'Tower of the four winds', and a gallery of lobed arches, both from the Gothic period and located at the foot of the nave. The walls surrounding the Romanesque chancel, as well as the gallery of segmental arches on the northern façade, known as the 'cloister', and the ruins of high school also date from this period. This perimeter circuit, enclosed by ribbed and barrel vaults and a coffered roof, has a rich ornamentation, centred on capitals and keystones, articulated by means of warriors and fantastic beings, animals and plant elements, as well as the figures of the Evangelists, the Tetramorphos or seated Christ. From the Modern Age onwards, different building works were undertaken, of lesser importance than those carried out in medieval times, such as the new sacristies, as well as work on the main chapel and roofs, and the reconstruction and restoration of the monumental complex throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, which have restored it to its former splendour.

Although the 15th-century constructions have traditionally been linked to King Charles II, his participation in the works is not certain, at least not before 1375, as this temple does not figure among the devotions of the king, who does not mention it in his last will and testament until the last of them. Nor is there any record of the connection of other kings of the house of Evreux with the promotion of the works, although there is evidence of a link with the figure of the Virgin, so the idea that it was the church's own workmen who undertook the payment of the works thanks to their income and the donations of the faithful is beginning to gain strength.