Stage 22: Astorga - Rabanal Distance: 24km
Astorga
Follow the camino through Astorga past the cathedral taking a left onto the Calle Portería and out through the Puerta Obispo.
Turn right into Calle Sancti Spiritu and continue straight on to the Calle San Pedro passing the Iglesia de San Pedro with it's mosaic of the Camino de Santiago.
Cross the N VI road at the crossroads onto a country road, Calle de los Mártires, in the direction of Santa Comba de Somoza. The Ermita del Ecce Homo is on the left.
Continue on the path parallel to the road which leads into Murias de Rechivaldo
Murias de Rechivaldo
The parish church, Iglesia de San Esteban was built during the 18th Century and holds an image of the pilgrim San Roque and has a carving of the Virgen del Pilar above the door.
There is a shop, restaurant and a few bars in the village.
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, on the main road. Tel: (0034) 987 69 11 50
Beds: 22. Open all year.
Albergue Las Aguedas, Last on the right leaving the town. Tel: (0034) 987 61 67 65
Beds: 60 in three rooms. Open all year. Has cooking & laundry facilities.
From here you have two routes to choose from.
Alternative Route
Take the small country road beside the albergue and take a left onto the road that leads straight into Castrillo de los Polvazares
Castrillo de los Polvazares
Information
The village was originally in a different location but was totally destroyed by a flood, and rebuilt in the 16th century in its current location.
It has been recently restored, and the buildings are typical stone walled and slated roofed.
The main economic activity of it's inhabitants is now based on tourism and handicrafts.
Its main tourist attractions are its typical architecture and gastronomy.
Tourist Office Rural Casa Coscolo, El Rincoón 1. Tel: (0034) 619 28 05 40
Accommodation
Hostal Hostería Cuca La Vaina **, Jardín. Tel: (0034) 987 69 10 34 / 649 98 82 54
Email: cuca.la.vaina@terra.es
Website: www.cucalavaina.es
Hostal Casa Coscolo **. Tel: (0034) 987 69 19 84
Walk through the village along the cobbled road turning left as you head out of Castrillo de Polvazares. Cross a stream and walk uphill where the path rejoins the recommended route from Murias de Rechivaldo.
Recommended Route
Continue past the pilgrim fountain and the albergue on the right onto a track which leads to a crossroads. Cross the country road and onto the track that runs alongside the road into Santa Catalina de Somoza
Santa Catalina de Somoza
Information
This area of the Camino de Santiago is next to the mountain Monte Irago.
The camino crosses Santa Catalina de Somoza through its main street, the Calle Mayor.
It,s parish church, Iglesia de Santa María, houses a relic from San Blas, the Patron Saint of the village.
The village had a pilgrim hospital before the 15th Century, known as La Virgen de las Candelas.
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, Calle La Escuela. Tel: (0034) 987 69 18 19
Beds 38. Open all year.
Albergue El Caminante, Calle Real 2. Tel: (0034) 987 69 10 98
Beds: 24. Open all year. Has laundry facilities as well as internet access.
Albergue Hospedería San Blas, Calle Real 11. Tel: (0034) 987 69 14 11
Beds: 24 in various rooms. Has café and bar facilities. Also offers private rooms.
Continue through Santa Catalina de Somoza along the Calle Real back out onto the track that runs parallel with the country road (LE-142) into El Ganso
El Ganso
Information
As with many other regions of the camino, the festivities of El Ganso are dedicated to Santiago, and so is the parish church, Iglesia de Santiago with it's statue of Santiago Peregrino. In the atrium of this church there is a small chapel known as Capilla del Cristo de los Peregrinos.
In the 12th century El Ganso was home to a pilgrim hospital and a Convent run by nuns from the Order of Cluny.
Some of the buildings in the village still have thatched roofs, 'casas teitadas', in similar style to an indigenous construction from El Bierzo and Galicia.
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, Calle Las Eras. Tel: (0034) 987 69 10 88
Beds: 16. Open all year.
Albergue Gabino, Calle Real. Tel: (0034) 660 91 28 23
Beds: 30 in two rooms. Open all year. Has cooking & laundry facilities.
Continue through El Ganso onto a track that winds it's way alongside the road and sometimes veers off onto forests paths.
On the right you can visit one of the great Roman gold mines, La Fucarona.
4km from El Ganso we cross the Puente de Pañote over the Arroyo de las Reguerinas.
Climb through mixed woodlands passing El Roble del Peregrino where pilgrims can sit on the bench and rest in the shade.
The 18th century Ermita del Bendito Cristo de la Vera Cruz is on the left as you enter Rabanal del Camino
Rabanal del Camino
Information
The cobbled Calle Real takes you through Rabanal del Camino with it's many churches and hostels. It is a popular resting point for pilgrims as it is the last stopping point before tackling Monte Irago and the Montes de León.
Inside the 18th century Iglesia de San Jose there is an image of Santiago Peregrino. We can also visit the site of the former Hospital de San Gregorio and the Casa de las Cuatro Esquinas, where King Felipe II once stayed.
The 12th century Iglesia de Santa María with its ornate apse is worth a visit. During the 12th Century, there was a house attached to the church which was occupied by the Orden de los Templarios, Order of the Knights Templar.
An order of German monks have taken up residence near the Plaza Jerónimo Morán Alonso and the church. You can here Gregorian chant at evening Vespers at 19:00 and Compline at 21:30.
Tourist Office Rural la Posada de Gaspar, Calle Real 27 - 29. Tel: (0034) 987 69 10 79
Email: info@laposadadegaspar.com
Website: www.laposadadegaspar.com
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, Plaza Jerónimo Morán Alonso. Tel: (0034) 987 69 12 72 / 687 61 74 45
Beds: 45. Open May - Oct. Has kitchen facilities.
Albergue Gaucelmo, Calle Calvario 4. Tel: (0034) 987 69 19 01
Beds: 46 in two rooms. Open Apr - Oct. Has kitchen facilities.
Albergue Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Plaza Jerónimo Morán Alonso. Tel: (0034) 987 63 16 21 / 616 08 99 42
Beds: 72. Open all year. Has cooking, dining & laundry facilities.
Hostería el Refugio *, Tel: (0034) 987 69 12 74
La Posada Gaspar **, towards the end of the village. Tel: (0034) 987 69 10 79