Special Places

[colinPeter]

Hola!

... there are a few places where the route splits and you make a choice, also there are some rather special places that are a little off route and worth a detour ...

Br. David's comment in the "Maps & Guides" thread, about off route or split choice "special places", makes me wonder, which ones others found the most interesting to take.

Is there a thread elsewhere that looks at this for the Camino Frances? (Couldn't find with search)

What have others found to be their off route "special places" or best options for split choice routes?

 

[peterbc]

hola,
A couple of special places off the camino:
From Najera to Santo Domingo-detour via San Millan de La C.ogolla, Visit the famous monasteries of Suso and Yuso, situated in a beautiful valley then take the road via Canas to Santo domingo.
Take a day off in Ponferrada and visit Santiago de Penalba, 19km south of Ponferrada. An ancient village situated in a narow valley surrounded on all sides by mountains. - well worth it.If you are there on the right day you can visit the small church with horsehoe arches at the entrance (mozarabic style)
all the best
Peterbc

 

[Deirdre]

It's not a detour, but an unusual site nonetheless.

In Tosantos we had the opportunity to visit the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña. It is about 1 km from the village and is a hermitage and a chapel carved into the side of the cliffs dating from the 12th century. Generally it is locked, but the hospitalero at the albergue parroquial de San Francisco asked the lady with the keys to open it for us. We had a lovely visit. It overlooks the Camino and it's striking, white facade can been seen from the Camino if you look back over your right shoulder as you leave Tosantos. It was a very special place.

Buen Camino,

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Take a bus to Santo Domingo de Silos from Burgos to see the singing monks and cloisters. Unfortunately it takes two nights in Santo Domingo de Silos to do both. For just the monks, one night will do. Stay in the first hostal on the left; the hospitality is great.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Take the easy walk to Vilar de Donas a couple of kilometers from the bar/albergue at Portos before Palas de Rei. There is a sign at the intersection.

 

[grayland]

Great Thread! More personal than a guide book. Hopefully, there will be many more posts with details. Thanks to those who are sharing.

 

[amancio]

Santiago de Peñalba is an EXCEPTIONAL PLACE, only I do not know if there is a bus to get you there.
ALTERNATIVELY, as you come down Acebo, there may be a path across the mountains via Compludo. That would be a detour, but the following day you should be able to make it to Ponferrada no problem.

An easier one is, Monasterio de Carracedo in Cacabelos, just 4 km off the way or so, beautiful place

Enjoy!

 

[sillydoll]

I have been preparing a new blog post on detours along the camino frances so this thread is very useful! Pity we can only spend 90 days on a Schengen Visa!!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

No Schengen Visa is required for citizens of the U.S., but visits to the Schengen countries is limited to 90 days in each year.

 

[peterbc]

Amancio,
I believe there is a route from Compludo to Santiago de Penalba. It was my intention to take this route but time and a very sore ankle prevented me. I'm not sure about a bus to Penalba. I had a forced stop over in Ponferrada and got a taxi out (30E) Well worth it - truely an erie but beautiful place. The Compludo route would be superb maybe next time.

 

[johnBCCanada]

Hello

I really enjoyed Vilar de Donas but when we went there was someone there who told us much about it that we wouldn't have known and that increased our knowledge and enjoyment. As I remember she was there and the church opened at 11 AM last year. I am not sure about getting in before then and I don't know how or where you would find out that information.

john

 

[Javier Martin]

Santiago de Peñalba is special, very nice.
Compludo too, and with a very interesting "herreria medieval" and an interesting church. It's possible to visit both.

There's a route walking from Riego de Ambros (turning left) thast goes to Compludo and, from there, to Ponferrada by the whole Valle del Silencio. It takes an extra day and as far as I know, there's no albergues. Some yellow arrows, but not enough. And incredibly nice. Some years ago I had something like a "guide" about but I'm afraid I've lost it.

Try it, and Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

It´s hard to get to, but that´s on purpose: San Miguel de Escalada, a true jewel of the Camino, is a day´s walk out of Mansilla de las Mulas -- or a 20 Euro cab ride.

This is a Mozarabic church, all that is left of a 9th-century monastic community of refugees from Granada who came north to escape the waves of Muslim invasion down there. They built a serene and beautiful golden stone structure way, way out in the middle of nothing. It was restored a while back, and the place is (usually) attended during the warm months, so you can go inside and see how the light comes through the tiny alabaster windows, and how the Mozarabic Rite dictated the Mass ritual be screened-off from the rabble in the apse. One of Spain´s medieval illustrated masterpieces, The Beatus of San Miguel de Escalada, was created here... it´s a bizarre, beautiful, colorful document that testifies to the wackiness of the Book of Revelation and what happens when monks spend way too much time in isolation.

The place is spooky and wonderful, especially if you give it some time. A lot like Eunate.

 

[peregrina2000]

I would like to second Rebekah's recommendation of San Miguel de la Escalada. I was lucky enough to visit the church, and Rebekah drove me there! Not only did she and Paddy pick me up in Leon and take me to the church, they also brought along a thick illustrated volume of the Beatus. It is a very beautiful place, and I am very thankful to Rebekah for taking me to visit it. Laurie

 

[grayland]

Take a bus to Santo Domingo de Silos from Burgos to see the singing monks and cloisters. Unfortunately it takes two nights in Santo Domingo de Silos to do both. For just the monks, one night will do. Stay in the first hostal on the left; the hospitality is great.

I have been trying to get the bus schedule from Burgos to Santo Domingo de Silos. I can find some references in several places but they are counterdictive and I am confused. We would like to plan a side trip...but sure need to know the one a day bus times so we can plan around it.

Anyone have the schedule?

 

[Heloise]

Hi grayland,

no-one has answered your post yet - I haven´t checked any schedules right now, but year 2006 when I took a trip from Burgos to Santo Domingo, the bus left at 17.30 monday-thursday and 18.30 on fridays. On Sunday there was no buses back to Burgos (I don´t know about burgos-SDdS). I guess this doesn´t help you much as the schedules may have changed... but I highly recommend a visit to that place! Maybe you can stop in the estacion de autobuses when you reach Burgos, and stay in Burgos one night if the bus of the day has already gone?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

try looking it up on http://www.movelia.es .

Reb.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Re: Special Places - Santo Domingo de Silos

The bus line to SD de Silos is on page 5 of this listing from 2008:

http://www.turismoburgos.org/fileadmin/ ... _oct08.pdf

Call the bus company for the return bus - Autobuses Arceredillo S.L. 947485266 - but I remember it being about 0730 (most days).

A lot of other questions on buses from Burgos can be answered by this schedule.