Puerto de Somport

Puerto de Somport | Imagen France64160: Wikimedia

Somport Pass

Located in the Pyrenees, in a border area between Spain and France, with a remarkable altitude of 1640 m. Apart from being closely linked to the Way of St. James as a pilgrimage area, it is also the starting point of the Aragonese variant of the French Way. In addition to this, it is a very important area for winter sports lovers, as many of the most popular ski resorts, such as Astún or Candanchú, are located here.

What to see in the Somport Pass?

Full of military history, as it has been used as a crossing point at different times in history since Roman times, when it was called Summus Portus, the term from which it derives its current name. Centuries later, Philip II ordered the construction of a system of fortresses to defend against a possible French invasion.

It was also very popular in the chronicles of the pilgrimage, until the 12th century, when it managed to eliminate the groups of bandits that made it difficult to pass from Roncesvalles, a less abrupt entrance and which is a shorter distance to Santiago.

In this place we can visit different points of interest such as: the monument to the pilgrims, the Ermita del Pilar, the ruins of the Castle of Candanchú, the Hospital of Santa Cristina de Somport and of course the marvellous high mountain landscapes that the pass possesses.