www.caminosantiago.com   21th Stage: from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino The Route goes out of Astorga and it takes pilgrims, first, to Valdeviejas. But before arriving at this small village, travellers will pass by the small chapel of Ecce Homo. Once in the municipality -that had a hospital for pilgrims- they will view the church of San Verísimo, whose 14 C retable is in the Museo de los Caminos, in Astorga. The Route then passes through Murias de Richivaldo and arrives at Castrillo de los Polvazares, a town that has an outstanding architectural heritage, where the genuine atmosphere of the region of Maragatería still remains. The remains of a Roman encampment are worthy of note. 22th Stage: from Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca After leaving Rabanal del Camino the route continues across the region of León. The first village that appears is Foncebadón, the onetime important center in the Middle Ages that has been abandoned. Here took place a Council in the 10 C, and a century later, the hermit Guacelmo founded a hostelry for pilgrims. Some kilometers off the municipality, surmounting a peak that the Romans dedicated to Mercury can be seen the Ferro Cross, on top of a stick fixed to a big heap of stones . Traditionally travellers bring a stone from their places of origin and deposit it on the heap. 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. 24th Stage: from Villafranca del Bierzo to Cebreiro At the end of today´s journey, pilgrims will reach the region of Galicia. The Route leaves Villafranca del Bierzo and passes through Pereje, a municipality that retains its Medieval atmosphere, and then Trabadelo. This village belonged to the Compostela Church after being donated by Alfonso III, and where stood the Castle of Aucatares. The Route then runs through Vega de Valcárcel, in the Ancares area. This village developed in the shade of the Castles of Sarracín, of which some ruins can be seen, and Veiga. Both castles are connected to Celtic legends. It is said that in 1520, the King Carlos V stayed here. 25th Stage: from Cebreiro to Triascatela The first day of journey in Galice starts in Liñares and continues in the Condesa Hospital. This village also has a church and a hospital for pilgrims with a style and structure similar to those of the hostelries of Santa María la Real and the neighbouring Cebreiro. The nickname "the Countess" that goes with the name of the village is a tribute to the founder of the hospital, at the end of the 9 C. 26th Stage: from Triacastela to Sarriá On the 26th day of the journey, pilgrims can visit Samos, located off the traditional French Itinerary, but whose Benedictine Monastery of San Xulián de Samos, from the 6-18 C, is worthy to be visited. This important monastery is situated on the valley by the Ouribio river, sorrounded by a scenery that enhances its beauty and provides a mysterious atmosphere. Its impressive Neoclassical façade is worthy of note, as well as the huge cloisters. The cloister of Nereidas, from the 16 C contains a beautiful fountain. The Ciprés chapel, from the 10 C, is one of the oldest elements in the monastery. 27th Stage: from Sarria to Portomarín The Route leaves Sarriá and crosses first Viley and then Barbadelo. In the latter, pilgrims should stop by the church of Santiago, declared National Historical Heritage. Built in the 12 C, the temple is one of the best examples of the Romanesque in Galicia. The key elements in the church are the tympanum, the frontispiece, the northern side and its sculptures. The next municipality to appear is Rente, followed by Mercado da Serra, a humble hamlet where the jewish people from Portomarín used to trade and supply pilgrims. 28th Stage: from Portomarín to Palas de Rey After leaving Portomarín, pilgrims go back to the Route, which will pass through many hamlets that fill not only Lugo, but also Galicia. At this stage the Route will cross Toxibó; Gonzar, which has an hostelry; Castromayor; Hospital da Cruz, also with an hostelry; Ventas de Narón, an important Medieval town. On its lands took place a bloody battle between Christians and Arabs in the year 820. Further on the Route are Prebisa; Lameiros, where pilgrims can visit the Chapel of San Marcos and admire its beautiful transept. 29th Stage: from Palas de Rey to Arzúa The Route leaves Palas de Rei and continues towards La Coruña province. Not far away, Santiago de Compostela awaits pilgrims. The Route first crosses San Julián del Camino, a small village where stands a Romanesque church with an interesting transept, then it continues to Outeiro da Ponte, where is the Castle of Pambre, one of the best preserved fortresses in Galicia. Further on, pilgrims pass though Pontecampaña, Casanova Mato, Porto de Bois and Campanilla. On leaving this last village, the Route enters the province of La Coruña. 30th Stage: from Arzúa to Rúa Pilgrims will start today´s journey full of joy, conscious that tomorrow they will be entering Santiago de Compostela, where many wonders await them, including the sepulchre of the Saint Apostle. The next stage, apart from being exciting for its sentimental and spiritual load, will be wearisome. For that reason, today´s journey will be quiet and short; pilgrims would better reserve their energies. 31st Stage: from Rúa to Santiago de Compostela The final day has come. Pilgrims begin their last day of journey along the Route to Santiago. Along it, pilgrims have travelled by part of the Spanish territory, and have enjoyed many of the countless wonders the country treasures, as a result of centuries of history, where the Route of Santiago has played an important role. The itinerary leads to Burgo, followed by Arca, San Antón, Amenal and San Paio. Further on, the Route arrives at Lavacolla, where pilgrims used to wash and make themselves presentable before entering the town of Compostela.