23th Stage: from Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo

The Route leaves Molinaseca and passes across the small village of Campo, where stands the chapel of Santo Cristo. Further on, the Route crosses the popular town of Ponferrada. This town, with Prehistoric and Roman antecedents, had two accesses in the Middle Ages. One was via the Roman bridge spanning the Boeza river, sunk in the 18 C; the other was via the path of the Gallegos and then, crossing the river by the Medieval bridge of Mascarón. 

At the end of the 11 C, the Bishop of Astorga, Osmundo, commissioned the building of a new bridge, "la Pons Ferrata", a pass with iron banisters which gave name to the city. Later on, between the 11 and 14 C, the Castle of the Knights Templar was built. At the end of the 15 C, the Catholic Monarchs commissioned the construction of the Hospital de la Reina, next to the fortress.

In this monumental town also stand the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Encina, from the 16 C -built to commemorate the apparition of the Virgin in a grove of holm oaks- and the Baroque church of San Andrés, from the 17 C, which is home to an outstanding retable from the 13 C, "The Christ of the Wonders".

After visiting this town, pilgrims continue towards Columbrianos, that contains a Roman road; then pass through Fuentesnuevas, with the chapel of the Campo; and reach Camponayara, an important halt along the Route. In the Middle Ages it had two hospitals.

The Route follows its course towards Cacabelos, where the first thing that appears into sight is the Chapel of San Roque; then the church of Santa María, from the 13-16 C, containing a carving of the Virgin from the 13 C. The Neoclassical Sanctuary of the Quinta Angustia, from the 18 C, is also worthy of note, as well as its Hospital for Pilgrims.

Today´s journey finishes at Villafranca del Bierzo, a town founded in the 11 C, where the Cluny Order had an important representation. Pilgrims can enjoy the Collegiate Church of Santa María, built between the 13 and 16 C; the churches of Santiago (12 C) and San Nicolás, as well as the Agua Street, full of palaces and emblazoned houses. The Castle-Palace of the Marquisate is worthy of being visited.