Podcast Summary: Cuerpos especiales – “Cortes (Navarra) - GANADOR”

Podcast: Cuerpos especiales
Host: EuropaFM (Eva Soriano, Nacho García, Lalachús)
Date: January 12, 2026
Section: Pueblos especiales
Special Guest: Ainhoa (Embajadora rural de Cortes, Navarra)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Cuerpos especiales" spotlights the town of Cortes, Navarra, as part of the morning show's “Pueblos especiales” section. With warmth and humor, the hosts connect with Ainhoa, a proud ambassador for Cortes, who passionately showcases her town’s unique cultural, historical, and culinary riches. The episode is dedicated to learning about Spain’s many small towns, featuring lively anecdotes and local pride.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Pueblos Especiales

• Segment Purpose: Every week, the segment features five towns. On Fridays, the town with the most listener votes on the Europa FM website wins a special Cuerpos especiales kit.
• Listener Participation: The hosts encourage listeners to share stories about their own towns via WhatsApp.
  “Cada semana conoceremos cinco pueblos y el viernes... se abrirá una votación... el representante del pueblo que consiga más votos se llevará un kit de cuerpos especiales.” — Nacho García [00:05]

Meet Ainhoa and Cortes, Navarra

• Ainhoa’s Introduction: Confesses she’s a big fan of the show and follows every podcast episode.
  “Os escucho, aunque no se escuche en directo los podcast, me los oigo todos.” — Ainhoa [00:41]
• Location & Size: Cortes is at the southern tip of Navarra, with around 3,200 inhabitants, located between Moncayo and La Bardena, in the Ribera de Navarra region.
  “El pueblo justo la puntita de abajo de Navarra está mi pueblo. [...] 3,200 más o menos.” — Ainhoa [00:55, 01:16]

Historical and Cultural Attractions

• Medieval Castle:

  • The town’s centerpiece is its medieval castle, restored by townspeople and now open for guided tours, including special evening tours in summer.
    “En Corte tenemos un castillo medieval, es un palacio castillo precioso.” — Ainhoa [01:37]
  • The castle grounds host annual events like the “belén viviente” (live nativity scene) and a popular Halloween haunted house created by local students.
    “Se hace un belén viviente, que es como si cogieras el belén de tu casa… pero cobra vida en grande.” — Ainhoa [01:36]
    “En Halloween llevan cuatro años haciendo una escena del terror preciosa del instituto del cole...” — Ainhoa [02:24]
  • The restoration was a volunteer effort, emphasizing community spirit.
    “Gente del pueblo lo ha ido arreglando… todo lo hacen los voluntarios.” — Ainhoa [03:11, 03:47]

• Iron Age Archeological Site:

  • A significant Iron Age site is present in Cortes, studied at a national level and featured in the castle’s museum.
    “Tenemos un yacimiento de la Edad del Hierro en Cortes que es muy estudiado...” — Ainhoa [04:28]

• Variety of Museums:

  • Despite being a small town, Cortes boasts four private museums:
    • Painted ostrich eggs
    • Creative recycling
    • Metal sculptures
    • Local tools and trades
      “En Cortes, en Navarra, un museo de huevos de avestruz pintados. [...] Culturalmente estáis en otro nivel.” — Nacho García & Eva Soriano [06:03, 06:12, 06:19]

Local Food & Traditions

• Produce:

  • Renowned for tomatoes and asparagus—“tomates que saben a tomate” (tomatoes that taste like tomatoes!), and high-quality preserves.
    “Tomates y espárragos de Cortes, muy buenos, por no decir los mejores.” — Ainhoa [04:56]

• Culinary Tradition:

  • The “culecas” — local sweet buns with a hard-boiled egg, similar to mona de Pascua.
    “Se hacen las culecas, que son unos bollos que antes las abuelas... metían dentro un huevo duro...” — Ainhoa [05:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community Involvement:
  “Son todos voluntarios. La verdad que es una pasada.” — Ainhoa on belén viviente [02:24]
  “Lo más importante de mi pueblo son la gente y lo voluntariosos que son y que por eso hay tanta cultura.” — Ainhoa [07:08]

• On the Town’s Cultural Offering:
  “Escúchame, ahí sois tres mil personas y tenéis cuatro museos.” — Eva Soriano [06:00]

• On the Museum of Ostrich Eggs:
  “Persona que gestiona el museo de huevos de avestruz pintado de Cortes, en Navarra, sabe que es la persona más increíble de este país ahora mismo.” — Nacho García [06:22]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–00:26 — Introduction to “Pueblos especiales” and voting contest
• 00:26–01:16 — Meet Ainhoa; Cortes’ location and population
• 01:36–02:24 — The castle, live nativity, and Halloween event
• 02:57–03:47 — Restoration of the castle and summer nighttime tours
• 04:28–04:45 — Iron Age site and castle museum
• 04:50–05:36 — Local food: tomatoes, asparagus, preserves, and “culecas”
• 05:44–06:31 — The four unique private museums
• 07:08–07:18 — Ainhoa’s closing statement about the community

Tone & Atmosphere

The exchange is warm, informal, and enthusiastic, filled with humor, curiosity, and admiration for small-town life. Eva and Nacho provide light-hearted commentary, expressing genuine amazement at Cortes' richness. Ainhoa’s pride in her community shines throughout, painting a vibrant portrait of Cortes, Navarra.

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Cortes, Navarra, is showcased as a culturally rich, active, and welcoming small town, with a spirit of volunteerism and community pride.
• Listeners are left intrigued by unique attractions like the belén viviente, haunted park, and the museum of painted ostrich eggs.
• The episode underscores the value of celebrating rural Spanish towns, their history, culture, and, most importantly, their people.

Closing words from Ainhoa:
“Lo más importante de mi pueblo son la gente y lo voluntariosos que son y que por eso hay tanta cultura.” [07:08]