The Parish of
Saint Nicholas (Pamplona) (ENGLISH)
Devotion to Saint Nicholas of Bari Born in Patara (Asia Minor) around 255, bishop of Myra, in present day Turkey, Saint Nicholas died around 334. From time when his body was taken to Bari in 1087, the devotion to Saint Nicholas began to spread throughout Europe and was eventually brought to Pamplona with the arrival of foreigners passing through the city while on the Pilgrim Way of Saint James. St. Nicholas is venerated throughout the Church as the protector of children, of travellers, the persecuted and as an ecumenical sign of reconciliation between the Western and Eastern churches. The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on 6th December.
HISTORY
The medieval layout of the city of Pamplona comprised three centres or boroughs: Navarrería, San Cernin and San Nicolás, which were established around 1100. There were frequent clashes between the three boroughs throughout the Middle Ages. In 1222 the people of the San Cernin set fire to the church of Saint Nicholas which was then rebuilt and re-inaugurated in 1231, in the reign of Sancho VII the Strong. In 1276, during the so called War of Navarrería, the church was again badly damaged. Following this, the fortress like character of the church was slowly strengthened as several defensive towers were incorporated into the building. King Charles III The Noble of Navarra granted the three boroughs the Privilege of Union which united them into one single city, putting an end to the fighting and marking the beginning of a new chapter in the architectural evolution of the church of Saint Nicholas. EXTERIOR There have been several changes to the exterior of the building, these being made by adding to the medieval walls. The most recent restoration (2007-2010) has returned the medieval walls to their original state. 1. Medieval Tower (1400), partially destroyed in 1600; bell tower (1800) crowned with machiolations. (1924).
2. San Miguel Door (1300), transition style from Romanesque to Gothic. It was the main Entrance to the church. Keystone with the mystical Lamb and chrismon. Rose Window (1400). 3. Door from San Nicolás Square (1300). 4. Porches (1882-1891), neo-gothic in style with neomedieval decoration. 5. Parish House of the same period and style, both designed by the architect Angel Goicoechea. The representation of the stamp of the Partition document between the borough of San Cernin and the area of San Nicolas at the beginning of the street of San Miguel is worthy of note. 6. Sarasate Door (1889). Relief of Saint Nicholas on the exterior and of Saint Joseph on the interior. 7. Gothic chancel (1400), visible from the street Lindachiquía. Cylindrical Tower, called Santa Ana, renovated 1925.
INTERIOR 8. The interior which was completely renovated in two stages (1982-1986 y 2001), reflects work which began at the beginning of the 13th Century, in a late Romanesque style, although the chancel and vaults of the central nave and of the transept are Gothic in style, built during the reign of Charles III (1387-1425). The side aisles are the features that best conserve the original Romanesque style. The central nave and the transept have in the keystones the crests of Pamplona and Navarra. The half pointed vaults of the nave are characteristic of the late Romanesque style at the beginning of the 13th century. 9. Numbered tombs in oak (18th century). Although these no longer contain remains, at the base of the altar, tombs worthy of note are those which are carved with the crests of several noble families of the parish (Apezteguía-Barberena, Saralegui, VidarteMendinueta) and those carved in stone next to the door of the sacristy with the crests of Echalaz (1677). 10. Presbytery. A magnificent image of the crucified Christ, Gothic in style from the 14th Century. Below there are nine seats from the antique choir stalls (18th century). On each side can be found Gothic tabernacles (14th century) and two pointed arched Gothic doors. The stained glass windows (19th Century) as can be found in the other naves. The two side windows portray the four evangelists in the lower section the four main prophets in the upper half. The central window is dedicated to the Annunciation and to the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
11. Renaissance image of Saint Nicholas (16th Century) seated in his episcopal seat with three young children in a tub, saved by his intercession, at this feet (image on the cover). 12. Turning to the back of the main nave, on each side of the back door, small sculptures of Saint Lucy and Saint Sebastian (17th Century) can be seen. 13. Choir Stall with the monumental baroque organ (1760), catalogued as the best in Pamplona.
LEFT HAND AISLE 14. On the stairs which lead up to the choir stall there is a baptismal font (16th Century) and an oil painting with the image of Saint John and the Virgin, painted by Juan Claver (1662), on each side of the painting there is an angel bearing the attributes of the passion of Christ. The stained glass window depicts the pilgrim Saint James. 15. The images of the crucified Christ and Our Lady of Sorrows (18th century). Opposite, a modern sculpture of Saint Anthony of Padua. On the doors, wooden grating (18th century). 16. Altarpiece of the Virgin of the Pillar (1940), a replica of the one found in Zaragoza. The side reliefs: Pentecost and the Assumption. In the freeze, emblematic dates in the history of the devotion to the Virgin of the Pillar in Pamplona: 1433 (founding of the Royal Order of Saint Mary of the Pillar by queen Doña Blanca de Navarra), 1679 (founding of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Pillar), 1907 (creation of the Ladies of the Court of Honour) and 1940 (year when the altar was built). Chinese porcelain vases and crests of Navarre and of the Royal Order. Stained glass windows: Translation of Saint Nicholas by boat. Side window: the Virgin of the Pillar. 17. Saint Ann Altarpiece (1738) made by José Pérez de Eulate, in a Rococo style. Saint Ann with her daughter, the Virgin as a girl, Saint Martin de Tours on his horse, sharing his cape with a poor man, Saint Lawrence with the gridiron of his martyrdom and cardinal Saint Jerome. Stained glass window: the Visitation of the Virgin. 18. Baptismal font (20th Century) in a neo-romanesque style. Mosaics (1905): Baptism of Christ, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Fermin and the virtues.
RIGHT HAND AISLE The stained glass window at the far end represents Saint Cecilia, patron of musicians. A modern sculpture of the Immaculate Conception.
19. Altarpiece of Saint Ramón Nonato (1678). In the centre is the image of the Heart of Jesus (19th century), a sculpture of the seated pope Saint Gregory (14th century), and San Fermin (18th century). In the upper section: a painting of San Ramón Nonato, showing the sacred monstrance, accompanied by Saint Michael (on the left) and Saint Joseph (on the right). 20. Altarpiece of Saint Mauro (1721), baroque piece by Fermín de Larráinzar which depicts the image of the Immaculate Conception, San Mauro and at the top a painting of Our Lady of Sorrows. 21. Altarpiece of Saint Eligius, twin brother of the above. From bottom: Saint Anton, Saint Eligius, and Saint Francis Xavier. An inscription states that it was made as an act of devotion of the guild of shoemakers. 22. Virgin with child (14th Century) Gothic in style. Back wall: fragments of a mural of the same period, from the pillars of the transept. Left: Saint Joseph with the infant Jesus. At his feet: angels in stone and the old bells of the tower, from the 16th century. Above: crests of the Motza and Expeleta families (16th century). Stained glass window: seal of the borough of Saint Nicolas. 23. Altarpiece of Saint Michael: Saint Ann’s twin (1738). Centre: antique tabernacle with the Heart of Jesus and Saint Michael. Left: Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Right: Saint Francis Xavier. Above: Saint Raphael. Wall alcove: sculpture of Saint Blas (18th century). Stained glass windows: Saint Michael (left) and the coronation of the Immaculate Virgin by the Blessed Trinity (right).
SACRISTY 24. Sacristy ante-room: Saint Peter and Saint Paul and mosaics, from antique pulpits (1914). 25. 18th Century Sacristy (Calvary 16th Century, paintings, copper work, mirrors, stained glass windows...). 26. Old Gothic sacristy (s.15th century). 27. Altarpiece of Saint Nicholas and Navarrese Calendar of Saints. 28. Columbarium (Christ 1500).
PRAYER TO SAINT NICHOLAS We implore you, Oh Lord, for your mercy and we ask that, through the intercession of your bishop, saint Nicholas, that you concede us this grace which we ask for (name) and that you protect us from all harm, so that we can walk safely along the path of salvation. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Our Father… and Glory be to the Father... CHURCH OPEN: 9.30-12-30 and 18.30-20.30 h. MASS: feast days: 10, 11, 12, 13 y 20 h. daily:10, 12 y 20 h. Confessions ½ h. before mass. More detailed information: www.parroquiasannicolas.es parroquiasannicolaspamplona@gmail.com Tel. 948 22 12 81