Marilen Garcia, MS Student; Claudia Palarz, BSN Student; and Dhriti Patel, BSN Student
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “castle”? How about “palace”?
These words are often used interchangeably and are viewed as the same thing, which is a misconception that many have not yet come to terms with. During our visit to Pamplona, we had many cultural excursions that were led by the University of Navarre. One of the first places we visited was a castle called Castillo de Javier and a palace called the Royal Palace of Olite. This is where we learned the difference between a castle and a palace.
Castles are meant for defense. They are built with watch towers and dungeons. They are used as a military strategy and are specifically located so that one can keep a close eye on their enemies. Castles are meant to be temporary for the royals, somewhere where they can hide while in conflict. The main reason a castle is built is for protection and safety. Hence, they are made from simple materials like stones and bricks.
Palaces, on the other hand, are more elaborate and extravagant. You can see that with the intricate designs built within the architecture. Each room we walked into had glamourous furniture with wide windows letting in the natural light. The Royal Palace of Olite incorporated greenery into its living by having large vines and trees that immediately caught your eye. With this, standing in each room poured in the natural light and bright greens from the gardens. It was clear how emphasized the importance of the gardens were to the owners of the Royal Palace of Olite.
While castles and palaces are seen as beautiful structures that many people around the world come to visit, there is a rich history that is within their structures. It is up to those who come and visit to learn and appreciate the stories that lie within the architecture.
