The Way of Saint James
This is the most pleasant part of the Way, the one that leads you to stop in the stillness of a forest, in a medieval village crowned by a monastery, or anywhere else where a new way of looking at life can be triggered.
Perhaps, after so many vineyards, it is time to stop and taste the wines and the gastronomy of El Bierzo, to chat with the pleasant company, or to take a deep breath and spend the night in the Way of El Bierzo.
1
CRUZ DE FERRO
The entrance
The mountain pass of Foncebadón indicates us that we are entering El Bierzo. It is the highest point of the French Way (1,500 meters). The Iron Cross (Cruz de Ferro) is on a mound of stones that the pilgrims have been throwing to obtain a wish. A must stop. Hermitage of Santiago.
2
EL ACEBO DE SAN MIGUEL
The first village
Beautiful medieval village with typical houses that enjoyed a certain importance in the past. It had a hospital and a shelter in the 15th century, a school and even a dungeon. You can see the entire hoya berciana (basin of El Bierzo) from it.
3
RIEGO DE AMBRÓS
A stop before the descent
Small town where the traditional stone architecture and the hermitage of San Sebastián stand out. A good place to rest before starting the abrupt descent to the beautiful Molinaseca.
4
MOLINASECA
Bridge of pilgrims
Natural crossing between the Meseta (plateau) and El Bierzo. The Bridge of the Pilgrims on the Meruelo River leads us to the street Calle Real, a beautiful path with large emblazoned buildings and monuments, a place worthy of being walked through and photographed.
5
CAMPO
Roman technology
Campo is located on the banks of the Boeza River, about 30 kilometres from the Aquilianos Mountains. It has several constructions of the 17th century and the church of Santa María, one of the best preserved in El Bierzo. Having its origin in the late Roman period, a fountain of Roman technology can still be visited nowadays in the upper part of the village.
6
PONFERRADA
The capital
This town also owes its origin - or development - to the Way of Saint James. The bridge built by Bishop Osmundo in the 11th century over the Sil River to facilitate the passage to pilgrims, the "Pons-Ferrata", gives the town its name. Land of Templars who here built a dream castle, that miraculously still stands today. Walking through the old town gives us a good idea of what the cities used to be like in the medieval times.
7
COLUMBRIANOS
Church and hermitage
Village with manor houses, where the church of San Esteban of the 16th century and the hermitage of San Roque of the 17th century stand out.
8
CAMPONARAYA
Old vine
In the Middle Ages it had two hospitals for pilgrims and it was a renowned place among the towns of the Way of Saint James. Large vineyards on the left and right, old vines of Mencía and Godello, wineries.
9
CACABELOS
Archaeological museum
Located in the heart of the hoya berciana (basin of El Bierzo). In this town, at the foot of the Way, we can find the headquarters of the Regulatory Board of the Wines of El Bierzo. This area is still deeply defined by viticulture and wines.
In the Archaeological Museum of Cacabelos it is possible to make a journey through time from prehistory to the 20th century.
10
CASTROVENTOSA
The origin of wine
The birth of the region of El Bierzo and its name lies here, in Castro de la Ventosa. This pre-Roman village is where the viticulture started in El Bierzo. Just by looking at the surroundings from the top of this plateau, we can see the immense beauty of El Bierzo vineyards.
11
VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO
The Door to forgiveness
Crowded with monuments, old wine cellars, emblazoned palaces and a castle. Its famous Door to Forgiveness (Puerta del Perdón) allows according to the tradition to obtain the same indulgences that in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for those pilgrims that, due to a disease, cannot arrive there.
12
PEREJE
A breath to peacefulness
A spectacular landscape of oaks and chestnut trees surround this small town where there are still remains of the Roman canals and underground caves of the mines Las Médulas
13
TRABADELO
River beach
Located in the valley of the Valcarce River, it has a river beach. It is of interest the church of San Nicolás and the old hórreos (typical Galician grain stores).
Big chestnut trees.
Big chestnut trees.
14
LA PORTELA DE VALCARCE
The forge by the river
It is located in the N-VI (a major highway in Spain) and has many services. It conserves a recently restored church and an old forge on the banks of the Valcarce River.
15
AMBASMESTAS
Beauty in the valley
Beautiful village that belongs to Vega de Valcarce
16
VEGA DEL VALCARCE
El castillo de Sarracín
It stretches along the valley of the Valcarce River. It has one of the most interesting castles in El Bierzo, the Castle of Sarracín, whose two towers still stand.
17
RUITELÁN
Romanic church
Highlights: the Romanesque Church of San Juan and the mill.
18
LAS HERRERÍAS
Peacefulness and nature
As its very name suggests, there were several forges within the village. In ancient times, it hosted an English hospital for pilgrims.
19
LA FABA
Little medieval bridge
We are getting closer to Galicia. La Faba has an 18th or 19th-century church, entrusted to San Andrés. As you climb towards the village, we find a preserved small medieval bridge.
20
LA LAGUNA DE CASTILLA
Last stop
La Laguna de Castilla. This is the last town belonging to El Bierzo. Have a nice trip!
