8th stage : from Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

On the eighth day of their journey pilgrims say goodbye to Nájera, but before, they can travel to Azofra, not included on the Santiago Route, and visit the San Millán de la Cogolla sanctuaries, which were of great importance in Medieval Christian Spain. In San Millán you can find the Cañas Monastery, as well as two of the most relevant and well-known sanctuaries in Spain: the Suso Monastery (6th to 11th centuries) probably the most ancient in the Iberian Peninsula, and the Yuso Monastery (11th century).

Both are the birthplaces of the Castilian Language, here were written the first words of one of the most important languages in the world. Retaken the Santiago Route, travellers will arrive in Azofra, village that once had a hospital and a church used as a tomb for pilgrims. Later, they will enter the municipalities of Cirueña and Hervias.

Finally the Route reaches Santo Domingo de la Calzada, one of the most important stages of the journey. The Route passes along the city center. This beautiful city was named after a monk, later a saint, who dedicated most of his life to improve the conditions of the path. He built all by himself the Oja bridge and the road between his city and Redecilla. He has been attributed many miracles, the most popular being the one commonly known as the Legend of the Cock and the Hen. It took place some 300 years after the monk´s death.For centuries, these fantastic events attracted pilgrims , who arrived in the city anxious to witness a miracle. Santo Domingo de la Calzada became a city in 1134 through a concession made by Alfonso XI.

In Santo Domingo travellers should visit the Cathedral, a magnificent building whose construction began in the middle of the 12th century and was complete in the Gothic period. It contains many works of art, such as the Saint´s Mausoleum, a Renaissance central Altarpiece and a 18th-century Bell Tower. You can also find a hostelry founded by Santo Domingo, rebuilt in the 14th century , that today houses a state hotel.