Stage 15: Boadilla Del Camino – Carrion de los Condes Distance: 25km
Boadilla Del Camino
Continue through the village onto a track through barley fields and the Tierra Campo until you reach the Canal de Castilla.
The track runs alongside the canal which was built in the 18th century to transport goods, especially crops and is now used for irrigation purposes. For more information about Cana de Castilla
Carry on for a few kilometres then cross over the canal at the Frómista Canal lock gates and head down a street, under a railway line to a crossroads where you’ll see the tourist office, turismo, only (open in the summer) in Paseo Central.
Cross over and head right then left into the Plaza de San Martín and the Iglesia San Martín.
Frómista
Frómista, comes from the Latin word for cereal, frumentum. The surrounding area provided large amounts of wheat during the time of the Roman Empire
Frómista’s most famous building is the Iglesia de San Martín, an 11th century Romanesque church built in 1035. It was once a part of a Benedictine monastery, which no longer exists. The de-consecrated and restored church which is located in the centre of Frómista is now the towns main tourist attraction.
Other cultural attractions include the 15th century Gothic Iglesia de San Pedro with it’s statue of Santiago and a museum of religious art. Also of interest may be the storks nest on the roof.
Tourist Office, Paseo Central. Tel: (0034) 979 81 01 80
Email: ayuntamiento@fromista.com Website: www.fromista.com
Head out of Fromista on a track that runs alongside the P-980 towards Carrión de Los Condes. On the outskirts of Población de Campos the track passes the 13th century Ermita de San Miguel on the left.
Turn right here down a small side street to the Paseo del Cementerio and on into Población de Campos
Población de Campos
Población de Campos has a shop, restaurant and a couple of bars on the main street.
Continue along the Calle Francesca past the Ermita de la Virgen de la Socorro to a bridge over the Río Ucieza. From here you have a choice of routes to Villalcázar.
Alternative Route
Take a left over the bridge and follow the track that runs alongside the main road into Revenga de Campos
Revenga de Campos
Revenga de Campos is a small village which is home to the Iglesia de San Lorenzo. You’ll also find a small bar in the village.
Continue on straight into Villarmentero de Campos
Villarmentero de Campos
At the entrance into the village you’ll come to a café and the Iglesia de San Martín de Tours on the other side of the road.
Again continue straight on through the village and keep going until you come to Villalcazár de Sirga
Villalcazár de Sirga
Here the alternative route meets up with the more pleasant recommended route.
Recommended route
Do not cross over the bridge and take the track that runs along the right of the Río Ucieza. Continue walking along the river bank into Villavieco
Villavieco
Villavieco’s Iglesia de Santa Maria has a number of interesting Santiago related articles inside.
Leaving Villavieco cross the bridge over the river and turn right and walk along the banks of the Río Uzcieza. Carry on until you come to a small road at the Ermita de la Virgen del Río with it’s image of Santiago Peregrino.
Follow the road past the Ermita de Cristo de la Salud and continue into Villalcázar de Sirga
Villalcázar de Sirga
Villalcázar de Sirga owes part of its fame to the miracle cures which are supposed to have taken place here in the middle ages under the statue of the Virgin Mary. Alfonso X mentions these miracles many times in his 13th century Cántigas, songs.
The monumental 13th-century Romanesque Gothic 
, described as the “Sistine Chapel of Romanesque style”, is named after her.
Built by the Knights Templar the church is home to the tombs of nobles and royalty, including the polychrome stone tombs of the Infante Don Felipe and his wife Doña Leoner, and has recently been declared a national monument.
As well as the many wonders inside, like the 13th century image of the Virgen de las Cántigas, and the magnificent 15th century Spanish-Flemish reredos, there is a remarkable double frieze on the main front.
The higher frieze features a central Panthocrator and the lower one depicts the Annunciation and the Epiphany, all resting below a series of castled arches.
The church is open for visits 10:30 – 14:00 and 16:30 – 19:00
Head out of Villalcázar de Sirga on a gravel track that runs parallel to the road, all the way into Carrión de los Condes
Carrión de los Condes
Carrión de los Condes was a town of great importance at the time of the old pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela and was once home to 14 pilgrim hospitals.
Its medieval origins can be seen in it’s winding streets and in some of it’s historic buildings and the old town.
The most characteristic building of Carrión de los Condes is the Iglesia de Santiago, famous for its splendid Panthocrator. It was recently restored after being almost totally destroyed during the the War of Independence in 1809.
Also of interest is the frieze in the Iglesia de Santa María del Camino, embellished by an Adoración de los Magos and a depiction of the rescue of 100 virgins by a herd of bulls. Every year 100 virgins were offered by the local Spanish Christians to the Moors. Santa María sent the herd of bulls and drove the Moors away.
There’s also the Monasterio de 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 10th century Benedictine Monasterio of San Zoilo, a former pilgrims’ shelter. Its outstanding 16th century Renaissance cloister is the work of Juan de Badajoz.
Tourist Office, Casa de Cultura. Tel: (0034) 979 88 09 32 / 979 88 03 94
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