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Saint Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, was born and lived in this castle. Its construction dates back to the 10th century, but over the years, until the 15th century, it underwent several renovations. It is a good example of a medieval fortress and one of the most visited places in Navarra. Every year, in the month of March, when the Javieradas are celebrated, it has the tradition of hosting the pilgrims who go to the town of Javier every year.
It is listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest and Historical Heritage of Spain. Javier's name comes from the Basque etxeberri ('new house'), which in its evolution became javier. The original spelling is Xavier, while in Basque it is written Xabier.
It consists of three bodies, successively staggered in order of seniority. Highlights include the “Torre del Santo Cristo”, a bastion and chapel where there is an interesting late Gothic crucifix and a series of mural paintings representing the dance of death, unique in Spain; the "Tower of Homage", called San Miguel (the oldest part of the castle) and the museum dedicated to the life of the saint. On its bases there are traces and Muslim plinths that could date back to the 10th century. In the 11th century, the first surrounding enclosure was formed that housed the first rooms. In the 13th century, two polygonal bodies and two flanking towers were added in the four orientations.
The castle and the town of Javier were won by Sancho VII of Navarre around the year 1223. An Aragonese nobleman had given them as collateral for a loan of 9,000 salaries granted to him by the Navarrese monarch, but when the term expired and he was unable to make the payment, they became the property of Sancho. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last, since Sancho VII was one of the great lenders of the Crown of Aragon, and thanks to the unreturned loans, he took over a series of towns and castles given as collateral that helped him reinforce his borders with Aragon: Escó, Peña, Petilla, Gallur, Trasmoz, Sádaba, etc.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Duchess of Villahermosa donated the castle and the basilica to the Company of Jesus with the condition that it be maintained as it was given to her. In the crypt of the basilica rest the remains of those who contributed to the reconstruction of the castle and erection of the basilica: the Duchess of Villahermosa, her husband José Manuel de Goyeneche (Count of Guaqui) and the siblings María Josefa (Duchess of Goyeneche), Carmen (Duchess of Gamio) and José Sebastián de Goyeneche y Gamio (founder of the Goyeneche Foundation).
Saint Francis Xavier was born in the castle owned by his parents, María de Azpilicueta and Juan de Jaso on April 7, 1506. His father was a Doctor of Law and President of the Royal Council. His mother belonged to the local nobility. His older siblings were Magdalena, Ana, Miguel and Juan. The castle was his home for 19 years. From there he went to study at the Sorbonne University in Paris, where he met Ignatius of Loyola again. With this and other friends they decide to found the Company of Jesus.
With the sponsorship of the king of Portugal, he embarked on the task of evangelizing the East Indies. During these years he carried out his missionary work in India, the Moluccas, Malacca, Mozambique... until he reached Japan. Just at the moment of fulfilling his greatest aspiration, entering China to continue his evangelizing mission, he died on the coast of the island of Sancián on December 3, 1552. Francisco de Javier was canonized on March 12, 1622.
Today, among other things, he is the patron saint of Navarra, of several countries such as Canada and Australia, of Navarrese athletes in general and of the pelotaris of the world in particular, patron of the Navarra Youth, of the Misiones, of tourism in Spain. Annually, in the first fortnight of March and coinciding with the Novena of Grace, Javier becomes the goal of penitential pilgrimage for all of Navarra. The average number of visitors is 30,000 people each weekend.
