Old city plan of Pamplona, 1940

The Pamplona – Plano General, published in 1940 by Editorial Aramburu, presents a richly detailed view of the capital of Navarre at a defining moment in its 20th-century history. Created shortly after the Spanish Civil War, this map captures Pamplona as it began a new phase of reconstruction and urban development, balancing its centuries-old heritage with the aspirations of modern Spain.

The map depicts the city’s distinctive layout, dominated by the historic walled center—a legacy of its medieval and military past—surrounded by newly expanding neighborhoods. Within the fortified core, landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa María la Real, the Town Hall, and the Plaza del Castillo are carefully illustrated, offering insight into Pamplona’s architectural and civic identity.

By 1940, Pamplona was experiencing gradual modernization, reflected in the development of new residential areas, industrial zones, and improved transport infrastructure. The map records this evolution in remarkable detail, showing tram routes, major thoroughfares, and the Citadel of Pamplona (Ciudadela)—a masterpiece of Renaissance military design—set within its geometric bastions and green spaces.

Published by Editorial Aramburu, a prominent local publisher known for its regional and cartographic works, the Plano General exemplifies mid-20th-century Spanish mapmaking: precise, legible, and artistically balanced. It served both practical civic purposes and educational or touristic interests, illustrating a city where history and progress coexisted.

Today, this 1940 Plano General de Pamplona endures as a valuable historical artifact, offering a visual record of a city shaped by its fortifications, traditions, and resilience. It invites viewers to explore Pamplona at the crossroads of past and present—an urban landscape where culture, geography, and history continue to define its character.