Camino Frances


A leisurely Pilgrimage in 40 Stages from

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela


Google Map
This map will only open in Google-Earth, which you have to have installed on you hard-disc (free!)
Once
in GE if you also separetely turn on:
1. Layers>Photos you will find hundreds of Panoramio photos
2. Layers>More>Place Categories>Lodging you will find many more
Hotel/Hostels


Years ago, when my son Cornelius first met Anne-Cecile, she wanted to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. For her I worked out a first itinerary for such a long hike. This is its fourth version. I am more interested in architecture, history, and people than in the forgiveness of my sins. So it has become a more leisurely trip than the usual 30 odd days. And this does not count “rest-days” here and there, where I would dawdle to explore an interesting place, like Burgos.

Anne-Cecile and Cornelius now have 3 small children. They would like to drive in their camper and would have to modify this itinerary. I am too old to make the journey on foot. Maybe this plan will be of use to others, who happen to open my website....

The route of the Camino I show in GE is based on Google-Earth information and the Panoramio photos along the way. Could someone who actually walked the Camino correct my alignement?

I added accommodtions, wherever I could find them. on Google-Earth, at spain-info, booking.com and in the general internet. DO make reservation ahead of your arrival. Especially the cheap pilgrim hostels (6-9 Euro) are in heavy demand.

Pleae send your comments to:
Rolf Gross, Pacific Palisades, California, March 2013


Index

Saint-Jean-Pied de Port

10. Sotés

20. Boadillo del Camino

30. Ponferrada

1. Orrison

11. Azofra

21. Carrion de los Condes

31. Villa Franca del Bierzo

2. Roncevalles

12. Santo Domingo de la Calzada

22. Terradillos de los Templarios

32. La Faba

3. Biskarreta

13. Belorado

23. Calcada del Coto

33. Triacastela

4. Larrasoaña

14. Villa Franca Montes de Oca

24. Mansillas de las Mulas

34. Sarria

5. Pamplona

15. San Juan de Ortega

25. Leon

35. Portomarin

6. Obanos

16. Orbaneja de Riopico

26. Vilar de Mazarife

36. Palas de Rei

7. Estella

17. Burgos

27. Hospital de Obrigo

37. Mélide A Coruña

8. Torres del Rio

18. Hornillos

28. Astorga

38. Arzúa

9. Logroño

19. Hontanas

29. Foncebadón

39. Pedrouzo

 

 

 

40. Santiago de Compostella


Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), France


Saint-Jean- Pied-de-Port, photo Panoramio

Accommodations 18 Hotels in and near SJPP

In Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port the French routes join to climb across the Pyrennees to Spain, a steep ascent to the Lepoeder Pass: 1265 m over 24 km. The Camino de Santiago partially follows the old Route Napoleon, with well marked shortcuts on small paths. There is minimal automobile traffic along this way.


Route Napoleon across the Pyrennees to Roncevalles, photo

So it is fortunate that at half altitude is an albergue.


Orisson (795 m)
1. Day 8 km Saint Pied de Pont-Orrison + 630 m uphill= app. 3.5 hrs


The Albergue de Orisson (795m), photo Panoramio 

Private Hostel owner: Jean-Jacques Etchandy: 31 Euro half-board, CALL for reservations From France: 05 59 49 13 03, from Spain: 00 33 5 59 49 13 03. Email: refuge.orisson @ wanadoo.fr, Website: www.refuge-orisson.com/


2. Day 21 km Orrison-Roncevalles,
Lepoeder Pass (1430 m)

17 km from Orrison + 635 m uphill = app. 5 hrs


February view from Col Lepoeder (1430m) the highest point on the Camino,
photo Panoramio


Roncevalles, (Navarra), Spain (960 m)
+4 km downhill from the Pass = app. 5.5 hrs from Orrison


The interior of the Collegiata Santa Maria de Reconvalles, photo wikimedia

Roncesvalles (Basque: Orreaga, Aragonese: Ronzesbals, French: Roncevaux) is a village and municipality in Navarra, northern Spain. It is situated on the small river Urrobi at an altitude of some 960 metres in the Pyrenees, about 8 kilometres from the French frontier.

Roncesvalles is famous in history and legend for the defeat of Charlemagne and the death of Roland in 778, during the battle of Roncevaux Pass, when Charlemagne's rear guard was destroyed by Basque tribes.


Covers of an Evangeliar, silver gilded, around 1240, from History of Navarra

The small collegiate church contains several curious relics associated with Roland. The battle is said to have been fought in the picturesque valley known as Valcarlos, which is now occupied by a hamlet bearing the same name, and in the adjoining pass of Ibañeta (Roncevaux Pass). Both of these are traversed by the main road leading north from Roncesvalles to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, in the French Basque Country.

Since the Middle Ages, this collegiate church has been a favorite resting place for pilgrims along the Way of St. James after crossing the French Pyrenees.
All you want to know about Roncevalles in 5 languages

Accommodations: 4 Hotels, 4 Hostels


Bizkarreta-Gerendiain, (Navarre),
3. Day 9 km Roncevalles-Bizkarreta


A welcome alternative from the dormitories of the pilgrim albergues (30-40 Euro/double):

A “Bavarian Village Hotel”: La Posada Nueva, Calle San Pedro 2, 31695 Biskarreta-Gerendiain Navarra, Spain‎, Tel +34 948 76 01 73 +34 948 76 41 37, +34 699 13 14 33 (Mobile), internet: laposadanueva.net , There is a second very similar hotel, same price.


Larrasoaña, (Navarra)
4. Day 12 km Bizkarreta-Larrasoaña


Peregrini on the Puente de los Bandidos, the old medieval bridge in Larrasoaña, photo elcamino 

Reports from the internet May 2012:
“There are no shops or restaurants in Larasoaña but the village bar is open for evening meals if you order in advance.”
“The municil albergue ($6) in Larrasoaña was without doubt the worst place I stayed in during my Camino. There was nowhere open in the town where we could have dinner or get a meal of any description. The only facilities available were two vending machines stocked with soft drinks, chocolate bars and premade sandwiches.”
Accommodations: 1 Hotel and 1 Hostel

There are private rooms available, or go 1 km further to
Hotel Akerreta Calle de la Transfiguración 11, 31698 Akerreta, Navarra, España +34 948 304 572 http://www.hotelakerreta.com/ 


Pamplona, (Navarra)
5. Day 15 km Larrasoaña-Pamplona


The Bulls are runing photo 8thingstodo

The main attraction of Pamplona is, of course, the bull runs in July, other attractions pale by cmparison....

For a guide to other atractions in the city see Wikitravel

Accomodations:30 Hotels, 12 Hostels


Obanos, (Navarra)
6. Day 15 km Pamplona-Obanos


Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, photo flickr

Albergue de Peregrinos Obanos. Obanos.
Calle San Lorenzo, 6. 31151. Obanos. Navarra. Botiquín, Cajero automático, Farmacia, Fridge, Hot water, Internet, Kitchen privileges, Left items, Shop, Telephone
Open from 01/05 to 01/09 after 13:00 h, Tel.: +34 676560927, Euro 6/person


Estella, (Lizarra)
7. Day 21 km Obanos-Estella


San Pedro della Rua, photo Panoramio

Medieval streets lead to an architectural gem. At the top of a great staircase stands the Cistercian church of San Pedro de la Rúa. The Romanesque features of its structure and decoration can be seen in its façade and cloister: semicircular arches, vegetable and representational decorations.
From spain-info

There are 4 cheap hostels in Estella and 4 hotels


Torres del Rio, (Navarra)
8. Day 27 km Estella-Torres del Rio


Ermita del Santo Sepulcro, photo Panoramio

With its octagonal shape, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built during the crusades around 1170, is a rare example of Mozarabic art. Inside the church the ribbing recalls similar examples in Islamic mosques, which has led to speculation that the monument was built by Mudejar artisans who would have reached Torres del Río from the banks of the river Guadalquivir.
In the apse is a Christ from the 13th century, also known as the Holy Christ of the Order of the Knights of the Sepulchre. Here, too, you will see Moorish influence in the delicate columns and capitals that reproduce monsters and centaurs.
From tourismo.navarra

There are a number of accommodations in Torres del Rio


Logroño, (La Rioja)
9. Day 29 km Torres del Rio-Logroño


Interior of the Cathedral Santa Maria la Redonda, photo Panoramio

Built over an ancient Romanesque temple the building dates from the 12th to the 16th century (Spanish Gothic to Baroque).
It was bestowed with the title of Collegiate Church when it merged with San Martin de Albelda Church in 1453. The building has undergone several modifications in the sixteenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was declared a cathedral in 1959. It has three naves and three polygonal apses. Inside there are several chapels and many tombs. On the outside, its twin towers, built by Martín de Berriatúa, are noteworthy.

You'll find a number of accomodations in Logroño


Sotés, (La Rioja)
10. Day 19 km Logroño-Sotés


The center of Sotés, photo Panoramio 

Hotel: Casa Señorio de Moncalvillo, Calle La Iglesia 926371, Sotés (La Rioja), Tel.: +34 941441889/ +34 677081001


Nájera, (La Rioja)
12 km Sotés-Najera


Najera, Monasterio de Santa María de Real, photo Panoramio 

Santa María la Real is a monastery in the small town of Nájera in the La Rioja community, Spain. Originally a royal foundation, it was ceded by Alfonso VI to the Cluniac order. It was an important pilgrimage stop on the Camino de Santiago. It is particularly well known for the woodwork in the choir of the church. According to legend, this beautiful monastery was founded in 1052 by king Don García Sánchez III, after he found a mysterious image of the Virgin Mary in a nearby cave. -The monastery church you see today dates from 1516.
Santa Maria de Real, Najera

Accommodations in Najera


Azofra, (La Rioja),
11. Day 17 km Sotés-Azofra


Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (XVII-XVIII cent). photo Panoramio

.....Azofra, Hotel Real Casona de las Amas


A charming place for a plush sleep, $129/night exclusive of the roadster

Hotel Real Casona de las Amas Calle Mayor, 5 26323 Azofra, (La Rioja), España +34 941 41 61 03
http://www.realcasonadelasamas.com/, $ 117/ night


Santo Domingo de la Calzada, (Burgos)
12. Day 18 km Azofra-Santo Domingo de la Calzada


Sundown at Santo Domingo, photo Panoramio

At the foot of the Sierra de la Demanda hills and the mountain of Yuso, Santo Domingo founded this town in 1044 to help the pilgrims who travelled to Santiago de Compostela in the early Middle Ages.
The original hermitage became a church dedicated to the saint, and was later consecrated as a Cathedral. Located in the central Plaza del Santo, it was begun in 1158 in the Gothic style, although it has elements of Romanesque origin, such as its main front and apse, and others which are baroque or Renaissance in style, such as the slim free-standing tower.
Inside the cathedral, a beautiful main reredos in the plateresque style and the tomb bearing the Romanesque carving of the saint stand out.

Affordable hotels in Santo Domingo de la Calzada


Grañon, (Burgos),


Hotel: Casa Jacobea, Calle Mayor, 32 26259 Grañón, La Rioja, España, +34 941 420 684


Belorado, (Burgos)
13. Day 15 km Santo Domingo-Belorado


Belorado - a very good Albergue 
photo
 Panoramico 

Accommodations; 1 Hotel, 12 Hostels


Villa Franca Montes de Oca, (Burgos) (alt 966 m)
14. Day 22 km Belorado-Villa Franca Montes de Oca


Hotel San Anton Abad, C/ Hospital Nº4. 09257 Villafranca Montes de Oca, Burgos, España, +34 947 58 21 50
http://www.hotelsanantonabad.com/, email:hotelsanantonabad@gmail.com, $83/night

The Hotel San Anton Abad was built in 1377 by Queen Juana Manuel of Castile, wife of King Henry II, for the service of the poor and those who passed through Villafranca Montes de Oca. Today it has been rehabilitated into a 3 star Hotel.


Summit Montes de Oca (alt 1146 m)
6 km from Villa Franca
halfway to San Juan de Ortega


The Camino passing the woods of the Montes de Oca, photo Panoramio


San Juan de Ortega, (Burgos) (alt 1000 m)
15. Day 12 km Villa Franca Montes de Oca-San Juan de Ortega


Monasterio de San Juan de Ortega, photo Panoramio

John Velazquez, who became religious history as San Juan de Ortega, was born in the village of Quintanaortuño Burgos in 1080. He devoted his life fully to helping the pilgrims with the construction of roads and bridges, but is remembered for his great work in the Montes de Oca with the construction of a church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari and a small monastery. El Santo died on 2 June 1163 and his work did not end with his death, but has continued to consolidate a monastic complex with which we find ourselves today.

Hostel: Albergue de Peregrinos Refugio del Monasterio, Junto a la Iglesia, 9199 San Juan de Ortega, Tel.: +34 947560438


Orbaneja de Riopico, (Burgos),
16. Day 12 km San Juan de Ortega-Orbaneja


A “cheap” albergue on the way to Burgos

Casa Rural Fortaleza, Calle Principal, 31 09006, Orbaneja de Riopico, Burgos, Burgos, España, +34 947 22 53 54
http://www.casaruralfortaleza.com/ Selfservice, app. $30/person per night!


Burgos
17. Day, 14 km Orbaneja de Riopico-Burgos


The Cathedral above the roofs of Burgos. Photo Wikipedia

Burgos was founded in 884 as an outpost of this expanding Christian frontier, when Diego Rodríguez "Porcelos", count of Castile, governed this territory with orders to promote the increase of the Christian population.

In the 11th century, the city became the see of a Catholic bishop and the capital of the Kingdom of Castile. Burgos was a major stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela[6] and a centre of trade between the Bay of Biscay and the south, which attracted an unusually large foreign merchant population, who became part of the city oligarchy and excluded other foreigners. Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, Burgos became the favourite seat of the kings of León and Castile and their burial site.

The consejo or urban commune of Burgos was firmly in the hands of an oligarchic class of caballeros villanos, the "peasant knights" of Burgos, who provided the monarchs with a mounted contingent. The merchant oligarchy succeeded the cathedral chapter as the major purchasers of land after 1250; they carried on their mercantile business in common with municipal or royal functions and sent their sons to England and Flanders to gain experience in overseas trade.

Burgos is rich in ancient churches and convents. The three most notable are the cathedral, with its chapel of the Condestables de Castilla, the monastery of Las Huelgas, and the Carthusian monastery of Miraflores. Minor notable churches are San Esteban, San Gil (Sancti Aegidii), San Pedro, San Cosme y San Damián, Santiago (Sancti Jacobi), San Lorenzo and San Lesmes (Adelelmi). A long, annotated list of Burgos' sights is found here.

Accomodations in Burgos: 132 Hotels +31 Hostels


Hornillos, (Burgos)
18. Day, 12 km Burgos-Hornillos


Hornillos, the Plaza, photo Panoramio 

Only Accommodation: Albergue de Peregrinos Municipal San Román, Hornillos, Tel.: +34 947411050

Hornillos has a sentimental meaning for me, near here encountered on their pilgrimage to Santiago Hieronymus Bosch (Jeroen) and Jacob von Almaengien Juana “la Loca”, the Queen of Spain. - In 1505 Juana and Philip of Habsburg had been elected King and Queen of the first united Spanish kingdom of Castile and Aragon. Two months later Philip I was dead. Some say, poisened by his father in law Ferdinand II of Aragon. Juana, pregnant with Philip's eighth cihild, went out of her mind. For months she carried the casket with her dead husband from monastery to monastery around Burgos, refusing to eat or drink for fear of being poisened. When her last daughter Catalina was born Ferdnand had her locked up in Tordesillos: Juana la Loca, the Mad Joanna. She died fifty years later in1555. Her son German Emperor Charles V buried her in Granada.
For a brief Biography of Juana


Juana la Loca with the casket of her husband Philip the Fair of Austria and Flanders near Hornillos,
Painting by Juan Pradillo, Brit. Mus. London

Jacob and Jeroen left Burgos before daybreak. Near Hornillos they noticed smoke rising from a fire in the fields. As they drew nearer they came upon a group of peasants gawking at a funeral procession. The tired carriers had set the elaborate coffin on the ground. A young acolyte was mechanically reciting from a prayer book. Next to the coffin the black-veiled widow stood moaning. Suddenly Jacob fell on his knees and with a crazed voice began praying in Hebrew. The acolyte stopped his litany. Jacob continued in French, "God have mercy upon me. I never buried you, my beloved, my savior. I repent all the wrongs I have done you. God's wrath will follow me to my grave." In a flash Jeroen saw Jacob kneeling illuminated by the flames of the burning house of Sibylle's father. He bent over his friend and asked in Flemish. "Who is she?" The woman turned around, removed her veil, and in a hysterically exalted voice exclaimed, "I am Juana the Queen of Castile." Tears streaming down her face she pointed at the coffin and shouted in Flemish, "And this is your Duke whom you called the Fair. My beloved husband poisoned by my own father, the Aragonese animal. God's wrath be upon him!" Jeroen now saw that she was hugely pregnant. He tried to calm Jacob, who was trembling all over. Jacob stared at him from hollow eyes full of dread, "The Basilisk! It is gazing at me. Jeroen, protect me from its deadly glance." Jacob collapsed, and Jeroen put his coat over his head.” - Excerpt from my novel The Life and Times of Heronymus Bosch


Hontanas, (Burgos)
19. Day, 10 km Hornillos-Hontanas


Main street in Hontanas with, photo Panoramio

Accommodations in Hontanas


Boadilla del Camino, (Palencia)
20. Day,18 km Hontanas-Boadilla


The mighty church in the tiny hamlet. - But Uli2008 rcommends the Hostal highly.
Photo
 Panoramio 

Accomodations and other information


Carrión de los Condes, (Palencia)
21. Day, 25 km Boadilla del Camino - Carrión



Portal of the Iglesia de Santa María del Camino o Victoria (11th cent),
photo
 Panoramio 

The most characteristic building of Carrión de los Condes is the church of Santiago, famous for its splendid Panthocrator. Also significant are the frieze in the church of Santa María del Camino, embellished by an Adoración de los Magos; and the convent of Santa Clara, founded in the 13th century, with an adjoining church and museum which displays sculpture and ornaments, as well as a Piedad by Gregorio Fernández. On the outskirts of the city, near the medieval bridge, is the monastery of San Zoilo, a former pilgrims' shelter started in the 10th century. Its Renaissance cloister is outstanding, a genuine ornamental and technical wonder which is the work of Juan de Badajoz.

Accommodations in Carrion de los Condes: Hotels, Río Carrión Youth Hostel


Terradillos de los Templarios, (Palencia)
22. Day, 28 km Carrión de los Condes-Terradillos


The albergue in Terradillos, photo  Panoramio

Private Hostel: Albergue de Terradillos de los Templarios (Jacques de Molay), Tel.: 979 88 36 79, and 657 16 50 11,
Email: yacquesdemolay@hotmail.com


Calzada del Coto, (Leon)
23. Day, 17 km Terradillos de los Templarios-Calzada del Coto


The Camino outside of Calzada del Coto, the lonesome landscape of León,
photo
 Panoramio 

Accomodation: Hostel


Mansilla de las Mulas, (Leon)
24. Day 32 km Calzada del Coto-Mansilla de las Mulas


Mansilla de las Mulas – former Monastery San Martin, photo Panoramio

Accommodations in Mansillas


León
25. Day, 19 km Mansilla de las Mulas-Leon


Cathedral Santa Maria de Leon, photo Panoramio

Originally, under the current location of the cathedral, the Roman Legio VII Gemina had built the baths, with a size larger than the current building. During the Christian reconquest the ancient Roman baths were converted into a royal palace. King Ordoño II, who had occupied the throne of Leon in 916, defeated the Arabs in the Battle of San Esteban de Gormaz in 917. As a sign of gratitude to God for victory, he gave up his palace to build the first cathedral. Under the episcopate of Fruminio II, the building was transformed into a sacred place. The tomb of Ordoño II of Leon, who died in 924, is found in the cathedral.

With the help of Princess Teresa Urraca of Navarra, sister of the king, the construction of a second cathedral, was started in line with the aspirations of Roman Christianity, and within its architecture. It fell within the Pelayo II episcopal see. Its style was essentially Romananesque, built in brick and masonry, with three naves nsing in semicircular apses, the central one dedicated to the Virgen Mary, as in the previous church. Although the cathedral was built according to international trends, a close examination of what has survived of its original facade, its originally indigenous nature can be noted. There is still the use of horseshoe arches, at least decoratively. The cathedral was consecrated on November 10, 1073 during the reign of Alfonso VI. Presumably the same masons who were building the Basilica of San Isidoro of Leon worked on it.
Wikipedia



Leon, Cathedral San Isidoro (11th-12th cent), photo Google

The Basilica of San Isidoro is located on the site of an ancient Roman temple. Its Christian roots can be traced back to the early 10th century when a monastery for Saint John the Baptist was erected on the grounds.

In 1063 the basilica was rededicated to Saint Isidore of Seville. Isidore was archbishop of Seville, and the most celebrated academic and theologian of Visigothic Spain in the period preceding the Arab invasions. With the agreement of Abbad II al-Mu'tadid, the Muslim ruler of Seville, Isidore's relics were brought to Leon where they could be interred on Christian soil. The tomb of the saint still draws many visitors today. An equestrian statue of Santiago Matamoros is visible, along with many other sculptures, high on the facade.
Alfonso's daughter, the infanta Sancha of León, married Ferdinand, Count of Castile. Sancha's brother, Bermudo III, declared war against Castile and Castilian troops, with the help of Navarra, killed the Leonese king, becoming Ferdinand I of León. He and his queen gave the crucifix that bears their name to San Isidoro. The church also benefited from its position on the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. Sculptors, stonemasons and artists from across Europe gathered to work on the monastery.
Queen Sancha chose the new monastery as the site of the royal burial chapel. Today eleven kings, numerous queens and many nobles lie interred beneath the polychrome vaults of the medieval "royal pantheon". In 1063 the relics of Saint Isidore were transferred to the chapel, and a community of canons was established to maintain the monastery and ward the relics. The apse and transept of the building are in the Gothic style, whilst other parts of the building are Romanesque or of the Renaissance period.
Wikipedia

A large choice of hotels from the Parador to 1-star pensiones in addition to 4 hostels

Leon, Parador de Leon, once you must try the ultimate Spanish accomodation
Convent of San Marcos, Plaza de San Marcos, 7 24001 León, España, +34 987 23 73 00, $170/night
http://www.parador.es/es/parador-de-leon


Villar de Mazarife, (Leon)
26. Day, 21 km Leon-Villar de Mazarife


Iglesia de Villar de Mazarife with three stork nests, photo Panoramio

I have not found a hotel or hostel - but there is a bus to Obrigo or to Astorga!. ....


Hospital de Órbigo, (Leon)
27. Day, 13 km Villar de Mazarife-Hospital de Órbigo


Bridge and Church in Obrigo, photo Panoramio

Recommended hostal: La Encomienda, Calle Álvarez Vega, 30 24286 Hospital de Órbigo, León, España, +34 987 38 82 11
http://www.laencomienda.net/

Other Accommodations: Hotels, 7 Hostels


Astorga, (Leon) (860 m altitude)
28. Day, 18 km Hospital de Órbigo-Astorga

Astorga predates the Kingdom of León by 875 years. Astorga lies in the area of the Maragatos, a small ethnic and cultural community with distinctive customs and architecture.
A concise history of the town is found in Wikipedia


Astorga, Palaciao Episcopal by Antoni Gaudi.

The curiosity in Asorga is Gaudi's Episcopal Palace. Built between 1889 and 1913 in the Catalan Modernisme style, it is one of only three buildings by Gaudi outside Catalonia, photo and more: Wikipedia

Accommodations: Hotels, 13 Hostels


Foncebadón, (Leon) ( 1433 m altitude)
29
Day, 25 km Astorga-Foncebadon


A
lbergue Monte Irago in Foncebadón, where Johanna Lattmann stayed in 2012, photo Panoramio

Accommodations: 1 Hotel, 1 Hostel


Ponferrada, (Leon) (520 m altitude)
30. Day, 25 km Foncebadon-Ponferrada


Ponferrata Calle de Reloj, photo Panoramio

The first records of Ponferrada are as a former citadel in Roman times. From the 11th century, the rise in pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela spurred the appearance of the hamlet of Pons Ferrata, located on the Pilgrim's Route it is named in this way because of the building of a bridge reinforced with iron.
In 1178, the King Fernando II of León placed this flourishing settlement under the custody of the Order of the Temple. The Knights Templar used the site of a primitive Roman fortress to build a castle in which they settled and which, at the same time, protected the passing pilgrims. This favoured demographic growth and led to the commercial development of the area.

Accommodations: 17 Hotels, and 1 Hostel


Villafranca del Bierzo, (Leon)
31. Day, 25 km Ponferrada-Villafranca del Bierzo


Villa Franca del Bierzo,  photo Panoramio

Accomodations: 10 Hotels, 3 Hostels


La Faba, (Leon)
32. Day, 23 km Villafranca del Bierzo-La Faba


El Camino in La Faba, photo Panoramio

The name of the town comes from 'Fabada' (Asturian bean stew). Here is the recipe!

La Faba Hostel


Triacastela (Leon)
33. Day 26 km La Faba-Triacastello


Idyllic house by the Río Santalla, photo Panoramio 

I did not find any Hotels/Hostels, maybe this will be alright

Fernández Restaurante, Plaza de la Iglesia, 27632 Triacastela Lugo, Spain,‎ Tel: +34 982 54 80 24 with a Guest House


Sarria(Leon)
34. Day, 22 km Triacastello-Sarria


Convento de la Magdalena - Sarria, photo Panoramio 

Recommended: Albergue de Don Álvaro. Calle de Maior, 10 27600 Sarria Lugo, Spain‎, Tel +34 686 46 88 03, Hostel


Portomarin, (Lugo)
35. Day, 22km Sarria-Portomarin


Portomarin, Iglesia de San Nicolas (12-13th cent), photo Panoramio

When the reservoir of Belesar, on the river Miño, flooded the old village of Portomarín, its main historic buildings were rescued stone by stone. They are the Romanesque church of San Pedro and the monumental church fortress of San Nicolás.
Some of the old medieval palaces were also placed in the main square of the new town of Portomarín, located on top of a hill. The medieval bridge stayed underwater and all that remains is the base and one of its arches at the entrance to the new bridge

Recommended: Albergue de Peregrinos Ferramenteiro, Avenida Chantada, 3 27170 Portomarín, Lugo, España, +34 982 54 53 62
http://www.albergueferramenteiro.com/


Palas de Rei, (Galicia)
36. Day, 25
km Portomarin-Palas del Rei


Two pilgrims argueing the best Way, photo Panoramio

According to tradition, the city owes its name "Pallatium regis" to the palace of the Visigothic king Witiza, who reigned between 702 and 710. In Palas, Witiza is supposed to have killed the Duke of Galicia, Favila, father of Don Pelayo.

There are several cheap hostales in town and this hotel:
Hotel Casa Benilde, Calle del Mercado, s/n 27200 Palas de Rei, Lugo, España, +34 982 38 07 17
http://www.hotelcasabenilde.com/


Mélide A Coruña, (Galicia)
37. Day, 14 km Palas del Rei-Mélide

Melide is a municipality in the autonomous region of A Coruña of Galicia in northwest Spain. It belongs to the comarca of Tierra de Mellid. During the last few centuries, like many villages in inner Galicia, it has suffered from a vast emigration of its people to Cuba and Argentina.


Galicia, October fog towards the end of the Camino, photo Panoramio

Accomodations: 3 Hotels, 2 Hostels


Arzúa (Galicia)
38. Day, 15 km Mélide-Arzúa


The closer one gets to Santiago the longer get the lines before the Hostals
Arzúa, photo Panoramio

Accommodations: 16 Hotels


Pedrouzo (Galicia)
39. Day, 16 km Arzúa- Pedrouzo


The crowd at the last albergue before Compostela, photo Panoramio

Accomodations; 16 Hotels


Santiago de Compostela (Galicia)
40. Day, 20 km Pedruzo-Compostela


Cathedral of Santiago, the sacred destination of the most famous pilgrim route in the European Middle Ages.

The history of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
According to legend, the Apostle Saint James (Span.: San Diego, Germ.: Sankt Jakob, French: Saint Jaques) brought Christianity to the Celts in the Iberian Peninsula. In 44 AD he was beheaded in Jerusalem. His remains were later brought back to Galicia, Spain. Following Roman persecutions of Spanish Christians, his tomb was abandoned in the 3rd century. Still according to legend, this tomb was rediscovered in 814 AD by the hermit Pelagius.
Bishop Theodomirus of Iria recognized this as a miracle and persuaded king Alfonso II of Asturias and Galicia (791-842) to build a chapel on the site. This was followed by a first church in 829 AD and again in 899 AD by a pre-Romanesque church, causing the gradual development of a major place of pilgrimage. In 997 this early church was reduced to ashes by Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir (938-1002), army commander of the caliph of Córdoba.
Construction of the present cathedral began in 1075 under the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile (1040–1109) and the patronage of bishop Diego Peláez. It was built according to the same plan as the monastic church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse. Construction was interrupted several times and, according to the Liber Sancti Iacobi, the last stone was laid in 1122. It was consecrated in 1128 in the presence of king Alfonso IX of Leon. The cathedral was expanded and embellished with additions in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
Text and photo Wikipedia

Accomodations: 94 Hotels, + 2 Hostels