Introduction

The central decades of the 18th century, between 1725 and 1770 approximately, were times of great building activity in the different types of religious architecture in Navarre. These were relatively rich times in parish buildings - whether newly built or completely refurbished - as can be seen in the churches of Irurita, Lekaroz, Azpilkueta, Enériz, Gaztelu and Santa María de Tafalla. Something similar occurred with the convents in Villafranca, Lesaka, Capuchinas de Tudela, Compañía de María in the same city and Olite and with the sanctuaries, basilicas and chapels dedicated to the patron saints (Cascante, Virgen del Camino de Pamplona) and, of course, with the towers, doorways and chapels.

Stylistically, the architectural models followed the criteria of sobriety and simplicity typical of conventual art, which continued to weigh heavily on the floor plans and other aspects such as roofs or issue of the naves. For their part, in the area of La Ribera and also within the tradition, in this case the decorative Baroque, buildings were erected at agreement with this taste, such as the chapel of the Holy Spirit in the cathedral, built from 1737 onwards for the parishioners of Santa María and San Julián.

Nevertheless, and despite these clearly majority and traditional tendencies towards austerity or decorative ecstasy, there are a few truly Baroque examples, influenced by Italian and international art. At the top of the list is the church of high school de la Compañía in Tudela, to which must be added the chancel of San Gregorio Ostiense, the façade of Los Remedios in Sesma, the chapel of the Virgen del Camino in Pamplona, as well as some unfinished project such as a new chapel of San Fermín around 1759-1760. Finally, mention should be made of another unrealised project but in this case with plans from Rome for a new basilica of San Ignacio around 1760.