Camino Aragones will have a new pilgrim center

[peregrina2000]

This seems overly ambitious to me, but I read that Canfranc Station, that lovely albatross of a train station, will have a new pilgrim center built on its grounds, leaving the sprawling huge building empty except for the little RENFE office on the side. But I guess it would be more expensive to renovate the building than to build new. Architectural drawings in the linked article:

http://www.heraldo.es/noticias/arag...a-puerta-del-camino-santiago-1210139-300.html

EU will pay 65% of the cost, total around 500,000 euros. I don't know what the thinking is here, but maybe it will put the Aragonés in the spotlight and stem the decline in pilgrims. 500,000 euros is surely a lot of money though.

 

[pelerine]

Thank you for the info, peregrina! I will add it to what I am collecting on the Camino Aragones. For use when? I do not yet know....

 

[IngridF]

oh boy what a waste of money.... walked the route in June.. group of 9 pluse maybe encountered another 5 pilgrims

 

[fransw]

This seems overly ambitious to me, but I read that Canfranc Station, that lovely albatross of a train station, will have a new pilgrim center built on its grounds, leaving the sprawling huge building empty except for the little RENFE office on the side. But I guess it would be more expensive to renovate the building than to build new. Architectural drawings in the linked article:

http://www.heraldo.es/noticias/arag...a-puerta-del-camino-santiago-1210139-300.html

EU will pay 65% of the cost, total around 500,000 euros. I don't know what the thinking is here, but maybe it will put the Aragonés in the spotlight and stem the decline in pilgrims. 500,000 euros is surely a lot of money though.

But what will happen with Canfranc station? Is it a classified buiding like in France where many buidings are classified due to their architectural or cultural importance? If this buiding is not protected it will become another ruin.What a pity then!

 

[mspath]

But what will happen with Canfranc station? Is it a classified buiding like in France where many buidings are classified due to their architectural or cultural importance? If this buiding is not protected it will become another ruin.What a pity then!

Canfranc station was indeed protected 6 March 2002 under Spanish law as a BIC.

"La Estación Internacional de Canfranc fue declarada, por el Gobierno de Aragón, Bien de Interés Cultural, en la categoría de Monumento, el 6 de marzo de 2002."

See more here
http://www.patrimonioculturaldearagon.es/bienes-culturales/estacion-internacional-canfranc

 

[fransw]

Canfranc station was indeed protected 6 March 2002 under Spanish law as a BIC.

"La Estación Internacional de Canfranc fue declarada, por el Gobierno de Aragón, Bien de Interés Cultural, en la categoría de Monumento, el 6 de marzo de 2002."

See more here
http://www.patrimonioculturaldearagon.es/bienes-culturales/estacion-internacional-canfranc

Thank you for the info. I am relieved to know that this cultural heritage is saved.

 

[Sailor]

From the link provided by Peregrina, also planned the construction of a bridge on the French side, the construction of a new albergue, and maintenance on the markings on the Camino Aragones [so, those concerned are trying to revive this camino and that is a good thing, I would like to walk this route]. To all caminantes, Feliz Navidad, y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[sharon w]

Will, hopefully, be walking this route next year. We are coming in from France on Chemin d'Arles.
Looking forward to staying at Canfranc.

 

[High Endeavours]

I plan to walk this route from Arlés next year and had previously read that they are going to update the rail station which will be great, but likely completed after I pass by.

Not that I'm complaining, but I'm wondering why this is such a less travelled route? I was recently looking at the 2017 pilgrim statistics and in November 120 arrived from LePuy, but only 7 from Arlés. In October, these numbers were 382 vs just 12 from Arlés. I looked further along the path and in October 43 arrived from Somport, but in November just 7. I understand it's a beautiful route.

Of course I became a bit interested in the numbers and noticed that the pilgrims walking the Plata from Seville have increased four fold since I walked it just 3 years ago. Amazing! Interestingly the Invierno numbers remain under 400 reported. I figured that many others would have discovered this fabulous route by now, but I guess folks are reluctant to turn off at Ponferrada when they have connected with so many other pilgrims on the classic Frances. Understandable. When I walked it, I started in Leon with the intent to leave the Frances. So many great walking trails!

 

[sharon w]

Yes. We did the Via de la Plata this year and it was busy. However, still not that many pilgrims. That is one of the reasons the Arles route appeals - not many pilgrims. Can't wait.

 

[Deleted member 29041]

I'm happy to see, that the Aragonés route is receiving some well deserved TLC.

Walking from Lourdes would be a good option. Partly because there is an airport with good service, which in it self makes it a good start point, partly because Lourdes, however touristy it may be, is a site of interest in it's own right.

 

[docpam]

I walked this route in May 2018 in a guided walking group from Lourdes. I had an accident and was not able to complete it. In 2019 or 2020 I would like to return and complete it on my own, however it needs markings! Maybe because I was with a guided group I did not see the signs but even we became lost in one place. Between Lourdes and Jaca we saw two pilgrims! There were albergues, not sure how full they were. It is beautiful, want to return and complete it, but am fearful about the lack of markings. The San Salvador had enough markings, why not the Aragonese?

 

[marjude]

I walked the Aragones in April 2016 from Somport and the signage was good, I had no problems at all. I saw no other pilgrims while walking each day, two nights I had company when another pilgrim stayed in the allergues but both were walking long kms and after breakfast I didn’t see them again.
Buen judy.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

I walked this route in May 2018 in a guided walking group from Lourdes. I had an accident and was not able to complete it. In 2019 or 2020 I would like to return and complete it on my own, however it needs markings! Maybe because I was with a guided group I did not see the signs but even we became lost in one place. Between Lourdes and Jaca we saw two pilgrims! There were albergues, not sure how full they were. It is beautiful, want to return and complete it, but am fearful about the lack of markings. The San Salvador had enough markings, why not the Aragonese?

The signage was better south of the Somport....

I'm booked now for 2019, but if you go back in 2020 or 2021, and want company, sing out.

I know that you had a challenging 2018.... May the Lord make His face to shine upon you in 2019....

 

[rappahannock_rev]

And btw -- when we were there last May, Docpam, did you see or hear anything about a new CA Pilgrim Center being built at Canfranc Estacion? 'Cause I sure didn't!

 

[Marthe Crites]

I walked this route 6 years ago and loved it. The only route finding problem was the first turn out of Lourdes, but you have to do your home work because in France it changes from red white slashes to green and yellow on different Camino routes since Lourdes is not a traditional route. I had to translate directions from French back then. Maybe easier now. And easier in Spain. It was a great trip but more challenging than the Frances.