After leaving Leon, we hit a few more flat stretches but find some pretty cool albergues to stay at. At San Martin del Camino we scored a private room for 35euros…a bargain and a nice change from the dormitories. One of the things we enjoy most at the albergues is the communal meal with the other pelegrinos.
It’s amazing to see food and drink left for pilgrims along the Way. This is not an uncommon occurrence.
The next town called Hospital de Orbigo has an amazing 13th century stone bridge boasting 20 arches. Legend has it that a knight called Suero de Quinones fell in love with Lady Leonor who did not return his affections. The knight showed his heartbreak by donning an iron collar every Thursday as a ‘prisoner of love’. As if this wasn’t enough, he announced he would joust any knight brave enough to fight him on the bridge and when he won 300 lances he would remove the collar. 81 years later a book was written by an author inspired by the real life of Don Quinones. The author was Cervantes and the book was called Don Quixote.
We reach the city of Astorga where we stay in the municipal albergue. Hosting 144 beds close to the centre of the city, we get our own private bunk bed for 14 euros.
In the middle ages Astorga was one of the most important cities on the way of St James, and now continues to attract visitors to the Cathedral, Gaudi’s Disneyesque Palace and the lovely Town Hall in the main plaza.
We find these exercise stations in most cities and towns. No wonder we don’t see many gyms.
Another stop is in Rabanal del Camino, a mountain town dating from the 8th century. We love the relaxed atmosphere of the Albergue El Pilar and enjoy lunch on the patio terrace.
We carry on and reach the mystical Iron Cross. The story is that every pilgrim should carry with them a stone whose size represents the amount of sins they have committed. When they reach the cross they throw the stone into the pile thereby freeing them of all their previous sins. So here goes…..
We are starting to feel the difference in temperature as we continue to climb further into the mountains. These are our last few days in Castilla y Leon before entering our final Camino province – Galicia.
I would’ve hate to see the size of the stone that you had to carry for your sins that you have committed.
Where as Kathy’s would be just a pebble.
Haha, we couldn’t find a stone big enough!!
Oh my gosh look at the beautiful blue skies. Loving the photos and travelling with you, 🙂
Take Care x