Search 74,075 Camino Questions

Drought in Galicia: Portomarin ruins emerging

ouroboros

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances (2012) (2019)
Camino Portuguese (2017)
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Wonderful pictures! When the water level is low it is possible to cross over the old bridge, I was lucky enough to cross this way in 2015.

Davey
 
I've seen the ruins exposed in the past, but not to that extent.
If one is interested in speaking to someone who lived in those ruins, go to Albergue Ultreia.
The lady who runs it lived in the village as a girl, and she has wonderful photos on the walls.
They took apart the church and carried it up to the current village.
 
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
I have never liked the modern Portomarin, finding it somehow depressing. But the old one looks like it must have once been quite beautiful. Thanks for sharing the link, @ouroboros .
 
It was very low in mid November and dry enough to walk around on both sides of the river -- and the sun set / sun rise can give some beautiful views. On the town side of the new bridge are stairs leading down to the low ground and you can easily walk across the old bridge -- I also stayed at and recommend Albergue Ultrea both in '13 and last year. Both the Alburgue and the private rooms are very nice.

A quick snapshot from the far side:
 
It is an eerie and fascinating sight. Water levels in many of the reservoirs in Galicia are very low this year. It is worrying to see such a level at this time of year. What will it be like in summer unless spring is unusually wet? I saw the shortage for myself last month on the Camino Sanabres. A couple of days of torrential rain in a dramatic storm did almost nothing to top up the supplies.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
This is interesting as with all the environmental laws today and the desire to preserve all heritage sites, a project like the flooding of this valley would never be approved today.

They would study it for a hundred years, but it would not get approved even it there were economic benefits.
 
It is an eerie and fascinating sight. Water levels in many of the reservoirs in Galicia are very low this year. It is worrying to see such a level at this time of year. What will it be like in summer unless spring is unusually wet? I saw the shortage for myself last month on the Camino Sanabres. A couple of days of torrential rain in a dramatic storm did almost nothing to top up the supplies.

The reservoir capacity in Galicia on February 1 was 43%, very low. Now it is 63%, so the situation is improving.
 
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
This is interesting as with all the environmental laws today and the desire to preserve all heritage sites, a project like the flooding of this valley would never be approved today.

They would study it for a hundred years, but it would not get approved even it there were economic benefits.

Unfortunately, I think you may be wrong.
Unless things have changed, on the Aragones route, the court approved the YESA dam which will put some family's dwellings under water for a second time.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I have walked past Portomarin both on high and low water watching the old town when possible. It is of special interest to me since we about 50 years ago had the same coincident in the small pueblo Masi in Finnmark, Norway. The government wanted to put this small community under water but the there was a strong fight against it so it ended up with a less damaging solution, though not wanted, better then putting a whole community under water.
Enjoyed the pictures! Walking the high bridge is what I dislike most on the camino.
 

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Most read last week in this forum

Can you tell me anything about the structure in my photograph? What was it part of, when was it built? that sort of thing. Thanks.
Feeling a little alone at CF. Where is it most likely that I won't be the only one in the albergue, Villar de Masarif, Villavante, Hospital de Orbigo or Astorga (which is probably too long for me...
I’m planning another Camino Frances, but this time can only do part of it. I’ll be walking from Pamplona for around 2 weeks; I like to walk around 22km a day, depending on the heat (I’m going...
Our Camino Parcel Saga Pamplona May 02 2024 We had just walked across the Pyrenees from St Jean Pied de Port, France. Our plan was to walk 800km along the Camino de Santiago. As it would...
I’m planning my fourth Frances for September/October of 2025. I’m bringing two friends from England, and they would prefer walking late September and finishing in late October. I’ve started in...
I’m looking for suggestions for a 6/7 day walking stage on the Frances that I can do next year with my older less fit companion. We’ve done the stages from Sarria, Ferrol & Tui in recent years. It...

Featured threads

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Featured threads

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top