According to Isidore of Seville's Historia de regibus Gothorum, Vandalorum et Suevorum, the town of Oligicus was founded by Swinthila, Visigothic King of Hispania (621-631) in order to control and punish the Vascones. However, this town was not heard of again until five centuries later, when the present-day town was founded and chartered. The Palacio Real de Olite, a fine Gothic castle-palace, was the royal seat of Charles III of Navarre.