Ayegui

Ayegui ( co-official Aiegi in Basque ) is a Spanish municipality in Navarre, two kilometers from the town of Estella and approximately 45.5 kilometers from the capital, Pamplona. The place is located at the northeastern foot of the 1,048 meter high mountain Montejurra, of which one has a magnificent view over the area. The Autovia A-12 from Pamplona to Logroño fürhrt right past the place. The population amounted in 2012 to 2,100 inhabitants.

The first written mention dates from the 11th century. From the Middle Ages comes the Monastery of Santa María la Real de Irache (Spanish Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Irache ), 400 meters southwest from the center. It is a former Benedictine monastery and is located on the Camino Frances Way of St James, in the Middle Ages an important pilgrim hostel. This former convent has now been classified as a historic structure. Currently, the Navarre Folklore Museum Museo de Navarra Etnológico " Julio Caro Baroja " is set in a part of the former monastic buildings. In addition to other sub-areas be converted into a Parador hotel.

The winery Bodegas Irache with 150 hectares of land is a major employer in the region and was established in 1891. Today, the sub- area named " Estella " is among the probably the best areas of the Designation of Origin Navarra for the production of quality wines with great development potential. The region with its vineyards supplied in the 12th century the royal house of Navarre with wine. The best-known varieties of the region are Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Graciano and white wines with the grape varieties Viura, Chardonnay and Malvasia. The history of the winery runs parallel to the same monastery that was once the first pilgrims of St. James Hospital was established.

Famous people

• Javier Martínez Aginaga, football player