For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Thanks for the advice Margaret!! I see you are well informed on some top architects. I will definitley note down all these architectural gems for the trip.. I had no clue Peter Eisenman had a building in Santiago!! I am hoping to base my dissertation on Urban Design and rural villages along the camino.. so I am sure I will have rich experience and be able to do lots of sketching along the camino. I am walking most of it but was wondering if there was any chance to cycle a day or two of it just for a different experience. Are there any specific monasteries that I shouldn't miss seeing?? It seems there is soo much to see that I will have to do a bit of filtering in my sightseeing..Also, I was wondering, are there many detours along the route which is marked by the yellow shells? Or is it just one route? Thanks again for this informationcamino. tati
Welcome to the Forum!
For information and tips regarding biking the Camino be sure to check out this Forum topic below.
biking-the-camino/
The Bike-Lne Service for cyclists on the Camino Frances lists those albergues which ARE definitely cyclist friendly. See >> http://bike-line.blogspot.com.es/ As you scan down the right hand column of the home page you will see PASAPORTE BIKELINE mentioned above a photo of a red guide book. Click on the photo and you will open their albergue list.
For anyone who has an interest in architecture, public spaces or design The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago by David M. Gitilitz and Linda Kay Davidson is a most useful guide. It provides a comprehensive explanation of the history, art, architecture, and importance of every village, town, and city crossed along the Camino. You can order it from Amazon.
For the last 50 years architectural history has been my profession and passion. Here are some personal favorite spaces and places on your planned stretch of the CF from Burgos west.
Of course the majestic cathedral of Burgos and its adjacent museum complex but also the new urban re development higher up the hill from the cathedral along the Calle San Esteban near the old castle and the CAB. See >> http://www.cabdeburgos.com/en/contenido/?idsec=3. As you leave the city walking west along the the riverside promenades visit the great mix of Renaissance and contemporary at the University law school and notice the clash of a nineteenth century panopticon-plan prison next to the camino path leading towards Tarjados.
West of Burgos the immense wind-swept Castillian plateau known as the Meseta especially between Hornillos del Camino and Castrojeriz is magical. Frigid in late autumn and winter it must be hot as hell in summer.
Just west of Leon the Brutalist church in Virgen del Camino was designed by Fray Francisco Coello, a Dominican monk, influenced by Le Corbusier. Basically a glass and concrete box this is a haven of peace in the midst of industrial chaos. Be sure to go inside! See > http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/train-tickets-and-weather.18777/ and >> http://virgendelcamino.dominicos.es/webvirgen/index.php
At the end of your camino in Santiago, of course, the great cathedral and the arcade streets of the historic city center are special. Nevertheless don't miss Peter Eisenman's contemporary and controversial hillside City of Culture . See >> http://www.eisenmanarchitects.com/
Also visit the offices and exhibits of the Consorico de Santiago to learn more of the city's urban planning both ancient and today. See >> http://www.consorciodesantiago.org/concursocentrocsic/index.php?page=consorcio
... What a journey you will have!
Happy biking and looking and Buen Camino,
Margaret Meredith
.... It's unfortunate that you will miss Torres del Rio, not only because of the way the town is developed on the hillside upon which it sits but more importantly because the Santo Sepulchro is one of the most incredible structures I have ever seen. I am still totally amazed that someone could design and engineer an octagonal structure like this in stone to such a level of perfection in the 12th century.
I am an architect, retired for many years now, and Margaret Meredith's advice is spot on. There are many great examples of both contemporary and contextual architecture in Santiago, I would see if you can find an architectural guidebook for the town before you visit there. You will find most villages along the way are the result of thoughtful organic development and some of the great ones are Rabanal, Astorga (with its early Gaudi church) and Acebo. Somewhere between Sarria and Portomarin there is stunning contemporary home basically built in the middle of nowhere. It's unfortunate that you will miss Torres del Rio, not only because of the way the town is developed on the hillside upon which it sits but more importantly because the Santo Sepulchro is one of the most incredible structures I have ever seen. I am still totally amazed that someone could design and engineer an octagonal structure like this in stone to such a level of perfection in the 12th century.
Bikes are available at www.recicleta.org phone +34-659-672-450. Cost for everything is around 10 Euros per day!!Hey everyone,
This sight is absolutely incredible and reading everyone's experiences has convinced me this is going to be more than just an experience of beautiful sceneries and intensive walking. I think the more I know, the better prepared I will be for the trip! I am really excited, but also scared about all the unexpected things that could happen along the trip- especially because I have not organised much of it apart from the flight there and back..
1) I am arriving in Burgos on the 3rd September and hoping to get to Santiago de Compostela by the 20th September: Does anyone think this is impossible timing?
2) I going with two other friends.. will we be able to cycle a part of the trip? Perhaps rent some bikes from one village and drop it in another?
3) What time should we aim to reach each village to look for accommodation? I have heard that by midday most people are already looking for hostels..
4) And a very vague question: For anyone who has an interest in architecture, public spaces or design, which villages would you recommend staying more time in? Or are there any places that are perhaps not mentioned in the guidebooks that you would recommend going to see? Any responses would be greatly appreciated as I want to get as much out of the trip as possible!!
5) Also, which parts of the camino have the highest amount of abandoned villages which are starting to revive as a result of the popularity of the camino?
I will be so grateful for any responses as I am doing this trip partly because of my interest in travelling and architecture but mostly as a internal, spiritual experience. I am really excited but also a little lescared of my lack of preparation..
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?