Puente la Reina, located in Middle Navarre, has historically served as a transition point both geographically and culturally between the characteristics of the Navarrese Pyrenees and those of La Ribera. This area has undergone an interesting linguistic evolution; Basque was the predominant language in the entire region of Valdizarbe until the end of the 19th century. However, with the arrival of the wars and the establishment of foreign workers from the Carrascal railroad, its use declined almost completely at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, a resurgence of Basque has been observed thanks to the euskaldunization programs promoted by the Government of Navarre. Near Puente la Reina, in Uterga, Abbot Juan de Bearin wrote a treatise on liturgy and a catechism in 1621. At that time, around 1635, the Bishopric of Pamplona prohibited preaching in any language other than Basque, under penalty of excommunication.

The economy of Puente la Reina has historically been linked to agriculture, so many of its cultural manifestations are closely related to agricultural cycles and rural labor traditions. Until the 14th century, the presence of Jewish and Agotes communities is documented in the town, who had their own neighborhood and synagogue. Among the Jewish residents, the Bergerac family stands out. However, in 1328, after the death of Philip the Fair, violent pogroms broke out in the town.

Architecturally, the historic center of Puente la Reina has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. The town is a clear example of a medieval fortification with a rectangular floor plan, straight streets and buildings of remarkable quality. Its structure is reminiscent of the French bastides common in neighboring Aquitaine. Typical Navarrese houses, with stone plinths, rendered brick walls and gabled or hipped roofs, are distributed throughout the town. In addition, several emblazoned noble houses, such as the Casa del Vínculo and the Palacio del Patrimonial, enrich the urban landscape. The Main Street coincides with the route of the Camino de Santiago and leads to the emblematic Romanesque bridge that gives its name to the town. Several "belenas", or secondary streets, connect the Main Street with the streets that surround the wall, which still preserves some of its towers. The town used to be closed during the night by gates, now disappeared, at an interval marked by forty bells, a tradition that was maintained until recently. On the outskirts of the village are the Fuente de la Grana and the remains of a royal palace that belonged to Charles III of Navarre, of the Évreux dynasty.

Among the most outstanding religious monuments are the parish church of Santiago (12th century), which houses a Romanesque wooden carving of the apostle Santiago el Mayor, known as "Beltza" because of the soot that covered it when it was discovered. It also has a carving of the Virgin of the Rosary, another of St. Bartholomew in stone, a rich baroque altarpiece, and Chinese Ming dynasty tibors in the presbytery. The Church of the Crucifix (12th century), which belonged to the Order of Malta and since 1919 is managed by the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, stands out for a magnificent Gothic Christ of Germanic origin with a peculiar Y-shape. The Church of San Pedro houses the Virgen del Puy, popularly known as the Virgin "del Txori" by a local legend of the nineteenth century. In addition, the Convent of the Comendadoras del Sancti Spiritus de Zubiurrutia, from the 13th century, and the Hermitage of San Martín de Gomacin, of pre-Romanesque style, close to the Señorío de Villanueva, complete the rich religious heritage of the town.

As for its civil heritage, the Romanesque bridge over the Arga River, which gives its name to the town, is an imposing structure built in the 11th century, probably by order of Doña Mayor, wife of King Sancho el Mayor, or Doña Estefanía, wife of King García de Nájera. This bridge, which measures 110 meters long and is supported by seven semicircular arches (one of them underground), has remained a symbol of the town and the Camino de Santiago. Originally, the bridge housed images of saints for the devotion of pilgrims, a crucifix, a stone cross, and a place for alms for prison inmates. Although these socio-cultural expressions have disappeared over time, the bridge remains an emblem of Puente la Reina's rich history. In addition, the historic center is surrounded by a medieval wall with towers that can still be admired. The Casa del Vínculo and the Palacio del Patrimonial, both in Italian style, as well as the remains of the Infanta Isabel Fort, built in the 19th century during the Carlist wars, and the remains of the royal palace of La Grana, where the monarchs of the Évreux dynasty spent seasons, are also part of the town's valuable heritage.

Festivities in Puente la Reina include the Fiestas de Santiago, which are held from July 24 to 29, the Ferias, which take place the last weekend of September, and the Pilgrimage to San Martín de Gomácin, which is held on May 1 and the weekend around September 14. Also noteworthy are the Fiestas de la Juventud (Youth Festivities), which are held on the weekend close to May 15. As for gastronomy, the high quality wines produced in the Señorío de Sarría and the characteristic claret of the Valdizarbe D.O. are especially appreciated. The town is also known for its agricultural products, such as haricot beans, peppers, tomatoes, asparagus and other vegetables, which reflect the fertility of the area. Traditional dishes such as abadejada, pastenco ribs with vine shoots, lamb in fritada and chilindrón, magras con tomate and pochas de Campollano, as well as Navarrese veal and trout with ham or cod with ajoarriero, are representative of the local gastronomy.

Puente la Reina is a key point of confluence on the Camino de Santiago, where the Franco-Navarre and Franco-Aragonese Jacobean routes, which come from Roncesvalles and Somport respectively, come together to form the French Way to Santiago de Compostela. This union is symbolized by a monument to the Pilgrim, from where pilgrims cross the arch of the Church of the Crucifix and walk along the main street to the majestic Romanesque bridge with seven eyes, built over the Arga River to facilitate the passage of pilgrims. The urban structure of the town, with three parallel streets and several houses with towers on its walls, is a clear example of the bastide design, common in medieval towns.

Among its rich collection of monuments is the church of Santiago, with a beautiful Romanesque façade influenced by the Moorish style, and the church of the Crucifix, founded by the Templars and enlarged in the 14th century. Also worthy of mention are its great medieval bridge with five arches, the church of San Pedro, from the 14th century, and the convent of Comendadoras del Sancti Spiritus.

Puente la Reina, a vital crossroads of roads and cultures, has witnessed remarkable economic and cultural development over the centuries. The Church of the Crucifix, with its 12th century Virgin and Child and the Gothic Crucifix of German origin, is an example of the artistic and religious legacy of the town. The Main Street, with its mixture of popular architecture, emblazoned houses, palaces and artisan stores, is a sample of the cultural heritage that is still preserved in Puente la Reina.

The legend of the "Txori" (which means bird in Basque) is one of the best known legends of Puente la Reina. According to tradition, the Virgen del Puy, a Marian effigy that was originally located in a small chapel inside the central tower of the bridge, was cleaned daily by a little bird that took water from the river with its wings. This Virgin is known today as the Virgin of Txori, and her image is located in the church of San Pedro, where it was moved in 1843 after the demolition of the central tower of the bridge.