Castillo de Javier

Javier, Spain, Spain

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Castillo de Javier, located in the village of Javier in Navarre, Spain, is a medieval fortress dating back to the 10th century, originally built as a lookout tower on a rocky hill near the Aragon border for defense and signaling.

Expanded over centuries into a noble residence, it became the birthplace in 1506 of Saint Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary and co-patron saint of Navarre, whose family held the lordship there. 

Partially destroyed in 1516 by Cardinal Cisneros during conflicts over Navarre's independence, it was later restored, now featuring three towers including the Tower of Homage, a museum with religious art like Flemish tapestries and a Cristo Chapel, and an adjacent 19th-century basilica, drawing pilgrims especially during annual Javieradas hikes.