Proyectos · Paradores · Olite
Zona de estar Suite Nomade People Ibiza. Fotos: Justin Paquay
The Royal Palace of Olite holds a singular place within Spain’s architectural heritage. The Parador de Olite opened to the public in 1966 inside the Palace of the Teobaldos, also known as the Old Palace of Olite. It is the oldest wing of the Royal Palaces of Olite, a fortified palatial complex once belonging to the Kings of Navarre.
In the 15th century, Charles III of Navarre, known as Charles the Noble, expanded the complex following the French architectural language and aesthetics of the period. Today, it forms part of one of Europe’s most significant examples of civil Gothic architecture. Far from being simply a medieval fortress, the palace was for centuries one of the most sophisticated courts on the Iberian Peninsula, a place where Navarrese, French and Mudéjar influences converged under the patronage of Charles III.
Building on this historical reading, CIDON Interior Design & Contract has developed the interior design, fit-out and installation project for the Parador, with an intervention aimed at recovering the building’s courtly and cosmopolitan character through a contemporary, elegant language that remains respectful of the existing architecture.
Rather than adopting a themed or decorative interpretation of the Middle Ages, the project proposes a more refined and contemporary reading of the building’s heritage. Instead of constructing a narrative around medieval clichés, the design highlights the property’s original architectural features — stone, brick, arches and monumental volumes — allowing them to become the true protagonists of the guest experience.
“The architecture already had an enormous presence. The stone, the large volumes and the scale of the spaces told much of the story by themselves. Our role was to introduce warmth through lighting, textiles and timber, so that guests could feel comfortable without losing the authenticity of the place.”
Silvia Pérez, Project Manager
Beyond the history of the building itself, the intervention finds a second source of inspiration in the surrounding territory.
The wine culture that has historically shaped the landscape of Olite is translated into the interiors through a colour palette that runs throughout the Parador. Burgundy, clay, mature wine tones, honey hues and aged gold appear across textiles, upholstery, wall finishes and decorative elements, creating a coherent visual narrative that connects architecture, territory and experience.
This goes beyond an aesthetic choice. Colour becomes a tool for bringing the surrounding landscape into the building and strengthening the relationship between the guest and the place.
One of the most distinctive elements of the intervention is the prominent role given to textiles.
Against the solidity of the original stone and brick architecture, CIDON introduces a carefully curated combination of velvets, textured fabrics, patterns, colour contrasts and passementerie inspired by the decorative traditions of historic palaces.
Large draperies, decorative trims, mouldings, tiebacks and textile details add movement, visual richness and intimacy to spaces defined by their monumental scale. This approach is particularly evident in the Parador’s principal rooms, where the intervention seeks to recover the building’s historical sense of sophistication.
“Olite gave us the opportunity to work with a very different idea of sophistication. We were interested in recovering the French influence that historically shaped the palace through textiles, mouldings, proportions and the material richness of the spaces. We did not want to recreate a period, but rather reinterpret a way of inhabiting it.” explains
Alba Vila, Director of Interior Design and Construction at CIDON.
The intervention places particular emphasis on the communal areas, conceived as spaces for gathering and lingering rather than simply for circulation.
The reception area gains a stronger architectural presence through the introduction of timber panelling, a bespoke reception desk and a new spatial layout designed to enhance the arrival experience.
The lounges and dining areas, meanwhile, are organised through clusters of furniture that create smaller gathering points, encouraging a more intimate, flexible and welcoming experience.
Among them, the Príncipe de Viana Room stands out as one of the project’s most significant interventions and the space in which the team explored the contemporary reinterpretation of the Parador’s historical legacy with the greatest degree of freedom.
Material selection plays an essential role in shaping the overall atmosphere of the project.
Oak and walnut, timber panelling, decorative mouldings, surfaces inspired by natural marble and metal accents coexist with the original architecture, introducing warmth, depth and visual balance.
Lighting, carefully considered for each room, acts as a key tool for humanising spaces of monumental scale and creating welcoming atmospheres without compromising the architectural character of the building.
This contemporary approach is also reflected in the selection of certain fabrics incorporating recycled content and sustainability certifications, particularly in elements such as upholstered headboards, demonstrating that heritage and environmental responsibility can coexist within the same project.
Beyond the design itself, the project is notable for the exceptional fidelity between the original vision and the final built result.
From the initial concept through to final installation, the principles underpinning the proposal remained virtually unchanged, allowing the narrative developed by the CIDON team to be translated into the finished spaces with a high degree of precision.
The execution also required significant logistical coordination due to the building’s location within the historic walled town of Olite, where access restrictions and installation operations demanded meticulous planning and constant coordination between design, procurement, transport and installation teams.
With this intervention, CIDON approaches heritage not as a static backdrop, but as a living reality capable of engaging with the present. The result is a project in which history, place, materials and contemporary hospitality come together to create a coherent and authentic guest experience.
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