DAY 13: HORNILLOS DEL CAMINO TO CASTROJERIZ (May 24)

Another beautiful day! The weather was perfect for walking. It was in the low 50's when we started out only started to get into the 60's by early afternoon. Nothing like the first week when the weather was in the 30's and 40's with crazy wind gusts. We continue our walk through the meseta. Castrojeríz is a beautiful little village. Last year we were greeted by fields of red poppies. This year they were replaced with fields of wheat. Here are some things that we saw along the way. Gladly we did come across some poppy fields that gave us a beautiful landscape to contemplate.

Entering Hontanas

Just as we were descending down into Hontanas we came across this very small hermita dedicated to Santa Brigida. It dates back to 1357.

So, Jannette and I are church enthusiasts. Every one that we can visit we do. This one in Hontanas was open so, of course, we went in. What caught our eye as we were leaving was a huge poster hanging from the choir loft. The picture seemed a bit familiar to us and realized that it is the same image we see on much of our own literature.

Often along the trail you will see the ruins of churches and monasteries. Some of the decline came about because of wars, shifts in political authority, realignments of ecclesiastical control, political shifts, or just the wear of time and abandonment.

This was once the Convento de San Antón (14th century). San Antón was known for caring for pilgrims and many hospitals were established in his name. This one has met a sad fate. Not only has it fallen into ruin, but the road now runs through its hallowed arches. Today there is a small hostal that can house a half a dozen people. 

Below we are entering Castrojeríz. Immediately in front of us is the Colegiata de la Virgen del Manzano with the ruins of a medieval castle looming on the hill behind it.

Everywhere you go there are little discoveries. A few of our students came into the restaurant where we were eating and asked where the bathrooms were.  The quickly dashed towards them and then moments later emerged. One of us told us that the whole area along the street where we were staying is laced with passageways that date back to the Visigoths and Muslims in Spain. So, I followed their example, and sure enough these are the tunnels that I entered, some dating back to the 5th century.