El Club · Ujué

The Cruz del Saludo is a historic 14th-century wayside cross located at a crossroads 1.5 km from the town center of Ujué, in the Sierra de Ujué mountain range in Navarre. Physically, it consists of a polygonal stone pillar raised on four circular steps, crowned by a cross and flanked by a depiction of the Calvary and one of the Virgin of Ujué. Although its primary purpose is religious and commemorative, its strategic location at a crossroads—where the mountain road to Murillo el Fruto meets the entrance to Ujué—serves as a natural lookout point offering panoramic views of the Gallipienzo region, the Aragón River, the Pyrenees, and, on clear days, Mount Moncayo. From this vantage point, one can see the imposing fortress-church of Santa María de Ujué, distinguished by its medieval defensive architecture. The cross holds profound historical and symbolic significance: it marks the spot where, according to tradition, a pilgrim crawled on his knees to the town, and it serves as the meeting point for the “cruces del saludo” (greeting crosses) during the exchange of staffs of authority between female pilgrims and the municipality. In November 2008, it was declared one of the Ten Wonders of Navarre, confirming its unique value to the region’s heritage. The best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset, when the light highlights the limestone and the views stretch out more clearly over the Navarrese riverbank.