Fire destroys the Pieros albergue

[Bradypus]

A local news website has reported the total destruction by fire of a small albergue in Pieros - a short distance west of Cacabelos. Fortunately the albergue was closed and it appears no one was injured and the fire did not spread to neighbouring buildings.

Un grave incendio destroza un albergue de peregrinos en Pieros

El fuego se declaró en la cubierta, que ha colapsado por completo, y ha obligado a los bomberos a intervenir durante toda la madrugada

www.diariodeleon.es

 

[Tincatinker]

Albergue El Serbal y la Luna. This is very sad. I remember this place with true affection. Even though even the postre seemed to taste of garlic

 

[davejsy]

What a shame, sounds like it was a wonderful albergue looking at the reviews

 

[LTfit]

Albergue El Serbal y la Luna. This is very sad. I remember this place with true affection. Even though even the postre seemed to taste of garlic

In the article the name of the albergue was not mentioned although I know of no other albergue in Pieros.

 

[Bradypus]

In the article the name of the albergue was not mentioned although I know of no other albergue in Pieros.

The albergue is mentioned by name in at least one of the recent news articles. The photos in this one show the intensity of the fire.

Incendio en un albergue de Pieros

Los bomberos de Ponferrada trabajaron durante todas la noche para sofocar las llamas

www.elbierzonoticias.com

 

[rojasa]

Oh I am beyond sad about this…grateful no one was hurt but what a loss. Mar embodied Camino spirit and every inch of El Serba y La Luna reflected her love for the place, down to the stones and seaglass embedded in the walls, the quiet meditation space, and the simple but bountiful spread both morning and evening. Unforgettable. If help is indicated, please let us know

 

[Rowena]

What a terrible shame to lose this wonderful albergue. During my stay there in 2018 I experienced the pure spirit of the Camino. So memorable.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Mar, the lady in charge, always kept the door open to even the scruffy and penniless. She kept extra clothes on hand for people who needed them. When pilgrims were stuck in Spain and needed a place to rest and/or volunteer, El Serbal y Luna was a go-to place. It embodied the Camino Spirit with open-handed generosity, tolerance, and a wonderful funky vibe, too.

 

[Ilatum]

Oh this is so very sad to hear , I stayed here in Oct this year , it was a wonderful experience the albergue capturing the true essence of the Camino such care and love in the running of it

 

[alexwalker]

So sad. I have never stayed there, but I understand it was a special place. God knows how the owner(s) must feel this evening... Just before Christmas and the upcoming start of a new season...
Can we help?

 

[Anniesantiago]

Oh no! I loved staying at this place.
So sorry this has happened.

 

[Lisa HS]

In 2016, a friend of mine, Lou, was hospitalera for the season at El Serbal Y la Luna (the owner had to be away that year, so she enlisted Lou to keep it going). Lou invited me to stop for awhile, and I enjoyed 6 days of switched roles... helping pilgrims instead of being one. It was a joyous, special experience in a joyous, special place. I am much saddened by this news.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Walls of Pieros - 2013

 

[truenorthpilgrm]

What a travesty. Now I wished I had paid that place a visit! It looked like the perfect "off-stage" albergue...

 

[chrysopoeia38]

Oh I am beyond sad about this…grateful no one was hurt but what a loss. Mar embodied Camino spirit and every inch of El Serba y La Luna reflected her love for the place, down to the stones and seaglass embedded in the walls, the quiet meditation space, and the simple but bountiful spread both morning and evening. Unforgettable. If help is indicated, please let us know

Hi Rojasa,

My friend Tili who has been a long time hospitalaro at El Serbal y La Luna and has started a GoFundMe to help Mar and her family rebuild a new life from the recent fire at there home and pilgrim refuge. Here is the link. Thank you for all your help.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/incendio-del-albergue-el-serbal-y-la-luna

 

[Madeleine Jacobs]

I stayed in albergue Serbal y La Luna (I heard the name of the albergue reflects the names of the two sons of the hospitalera) in August of this year and it is one of these places that linger in your mind, when you want a brief escape from the daily hustle to a peaceful place.

I warmly recommend the fundraising below and when I pass by in Pieros -shortly after Cacabelos- on my 2024 Camino, I will certainly come and see how hopefully the rebuild-up is going and share a donativo.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/incendio-del-albergue-el-serbal-y-la-luna

 

[RJM]

How sad. That was a wonderful albergue. I stayed there a couple years ago. Very gracious volunteer and hospitalera. Nice vegetarian communal dinner too.

 

[Lisa HS]

A gofundme has been started for El Serbal y la Luna.
Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/incendio-del-albergue-el-serbal-y-la-luna

 

[Anniesantiago]

Just ran across this older photo this morning:

 

[Silvermomma]

Do we have any news about the possible reconstruction of this wonderful albergue? We all contributed to the GoFundMe - hope something can be done!