I wonder if there if something that for many of us we do not get from our daily life.  I have met and talked to … Read more

Carrion was first settled by the Romans and was known as Lacobriga. Later the Visogoths held the city, their existence is evidenced by the tombs … Read more

Portomarin developed along both sides of the River Mino, the town was of strategic importance and always garrisoned first by the Order of Santiago, then … Read more

Palas de Rei was referred to as the Royal Palace in the first pilgrims’ guide from the 12th century, however, there is little in the … Read more

Ponferrada became a city in 1908 with a population of only 3,000 at that time. Today the population has grown to over 67,000 making it … Read more

Arzua is the last large town you will pass through before Santiago, (pop circa 7,000). Historically there is little to see apart from the local … Read more

Belorado with a population of just over 2,000 was a welcome resting place for me in 2004. I only walked 12km this day and rested … Read more

There is a tourist office at 16 Calle Masones, they can provide a town map and a city map for Leon. Mansilla was a Roman … Read more

It was where I was heading, as was everyone else on this pilgrimage across northern Spain. Each city was different, Leon is a pleasure, Burgos … Read more

I asked for book suggestions a few weeks back on the Camino Facebook page and the weekly newsletter. The Way, My Way by Bill Bennett … Read more

After the ravine known as “Barranco Mataburros” – the mule killer, you reach the plain where Viana can be seen in front of you. Viana … Read more

Every person walking the Caminos has a different story. When walking it is enchanting to listen to the tangled, exciting or boring stories of other … Read more

The earliest references to El Burgo Ranero is from 1126, there are a few interpretations of the town’s name: one is the town of frogs, … Read more

A pilgrimage is a term primarily used in religion and spirituality of a long journey or search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a … Read more

The hotel attendant walked me down a very long, wide, immense stone hallway and showed me to my room. It was just what I needed! … Read more

The patron saint of the village is Santiago and the local parish church is dedicated to him. Inside it has one of the most warlike … Read more

Santo Domingo de la Calzada is named after Saint Dominic, (pop. 6,700), and has been declared a site of historic interest. The tourist office is … Read more

San Juan de Ortega is a tiny hamlet with a population of 18 permanent residents. Nestled in a calm landscape and rich in cultural and … Read more

The Camino Madrid joins the Camino Frances from the south in Sahagun. Today Sahagun is a small dusty market centre on the Meseta, with a … Read more

Navarrete is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of La Rioja ( Spain ). It lies on the Camino Frances route. Because of the culture … Read more

Najera contains a population of 8,400 in a bustling market town that is increasing in size each year. The name is derived from the Arabic … Read more

Leon’s status as a country town was cemented by the definitive settlement of Legio VII Gemina in the year 74, but it began as a … Read more

Fromista, population circa 800, comes at the end of the sixth stage in Picaud’s original pilgrims’s guide. It is believed the town was first inhabited … Read more

Another small village that owes it continued existence to the Camino Frances, population 68. In 1999, Hontanas was declared an “Asset of Cultural Interest.” Its … Read more

Burgos was founded in 884 by Count Diego Rodriguez Porcelos and now has a population of approx 200,000. The city was the seat of Franco’s … Read more

Villafranca, with a population of just over 5,300, has all you expect of a modern town. There are many restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels; along … Read more

Dara Haskins was my friend. He died, on the 18th Aug 2005 aged just 30, while I was walking the Camino in 2005. It was … Read more