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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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