Albergue San Anton Now Closed?

[Rebekah Scott]

We have pilgrims here tonight who say the Albergue San Anton, 2 km. east of Castrojeriz, is now closed, that people are moving furnishings out and sending pilgrims on to Castrojeriz. :cry:

Anyone know what´s up?

 

[clearskiescamino]

I didn't see any signs of life when I passed through the ruins a few weeks ago. I didn't see anything open or any activity. Pity, I would be good to stay there at some stage.

 

[Priscillian]

Oh no! I hope that this is only a temporary measure. When I walked first and second (1999 and 2000) this was a ruin. I wrote in my diary (Um...we didn´t have blogs in those days, dinosaur that I am) that it was such a shame that this place (with SO much history: Look up El Fuego de San Anton) seemed to have been abandoned. I never met the "man with the Tau" who envitalised it.
Please say it isn´t so...
Truly, if it were not for my commitments here at The Little Fox, I would be there in a heartbeat.

 

[NoQ]

It would be very sad if this albergue has indeed closed.

I spent a wonderful night there a couple of years ago, with a fabulous communal meal, lovely singing of Pilgrim songs in the open chapel beneath the stars after and a good night's rest as there were only 8 of us.

I do remember though that during the afternoon a visit was paid by a group of governement inspectors checking on the structure of the albergue and remarking amongst themselves (out of ear of the hospitaleros) that they didn't like the idea of people staying there as they thought it could be unsafe.

Hope it is jsut a temporary closure, as I was hoping to stay there again this July and it is one of the albergues where pilgrims can really feel the past and the magic of the Camino.

 

[Priscillian]

Although I never have stayed there, this place remained in my memory as one of the very few places (Manjarin?) which have remained where anything of the true "roughing it" spirit of the Medieval pilgrimage surfaced.
If closing this place is true then God rot the "Heath and Safety +++holes who would do such a thing! And believe me I know such a thing is possible: look at why you now have to pay 12 euros a night (plus Internet etc.,) at the Seminario Menor in SdeC, for heaven´s sake! (And why it is a now a business out of necessity and operated by a travel agent: Viloria...).
What IS the future of our Camimo---?
A mi, no me gusta.

 

[MariannaP]

It would be more than sad for some special people! I stayed there 2 years ago. On top of a wonderful meal, prayers, singing under the full moon, there was a story there of the 2 Spanish hospitaleros, who met on the Camino year before, and in July 2011 were getting married in ... San Anton! (I was there a week before their big date). It was supposed to be the only night closed to the pilgrims, because of the wedding.

So I also hope it's only temporary closure; I will check it out end of July. (and I'll try to sleep there for sure, closed or not).

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Finally found an answer, via Camino-man Acacio Paz:
http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/ocio/20 ... cobea.html

Apparently the man behind the San Anton project has opened a new pilgrim hostel in Castrojeriz, and getting that project going, along with the chilly weather, has put the opening at San Anton behind schedule. According to the article, it will be open "after this weekend."

Buen camino!

 

[Priscillian]

Oh.....(Monty Pythonesque)... well that's alright then.

 

[NoQ]

Delighted that it's opening! Not surprised some pilgrims feel moved to donate 50 Euros after their amazing San Anton experience.

 

[mspath]

A notice today in Mundicamino Domingo - 7 julio de 2013 / elcorreo.com
Una piedra preciosa en el Camino/ Sunday -7 july 2013 /elcorreo.com A gem on the Camino describes the long history of the San Antonio monks and monastery, the current ruins and the present hospitalero named Ovid Field who runs this VERY special albergue. The ruins may be without electricity or hot water, but pilgrims are offered bunk, breakfast, dinner and at least half a bottle of wine per head. By candlelight or under the stars all is freely given (with donativo) .... Thus this albergue is an example of yet another of the varied and memorable alternatives available along the Camino.... To each his own.

Margaret Meredith

 

[Sojourner47]

look at why you now have to pay 12 euros a night (plus Internet etc.,) at the Seminario Menor in SdeC, for heaven´s sake! (And why it is a now a business out of necessity and operated by a travel agent: Viloria...).[/i]

Single room at Sem Men 17 euros last month, and NO HOT WATER either....... :mrgreen:
Last time I'll ever stay there.