Choosing Monasteries/religious route

CarlG said:

Hi everyone

I did a camino back in 2010 from Sarria and enjoyed it immensely.

I wanted to go back maybe next year but I am trying to plot a route that is more religious. I want to stay at monasteries as much as I can on route. Anyone done that before?

Any insights would be great!

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I don't know if this will help, but I used Eileen Barish's book 'Lodging in Spain's Monasteries'--I found several places on the Norte and Primitivo, and some on the Frances that offered lodging to nonpilgrims and pilgrims. I also tried to stay in monasteries that offered rooms to only to pilgrims such as Zenarruza (Norte) and Valdedios (Norte-Primitivo interface). I also enjoyed the feeling in parochial albergues like San Miguel (Estella) and Domus Dei (Foncebadon)...I wanted to stay at the Trinidad de Arre albergue and the Basilica de NSra de Puy (Estella) (both on the Frances) but my timing was off for the first, and I had the wrong contact info for the second.
I enjoyed all of my stays
edit: while I didn't find any monks that wouldn't allow a woman to stay I know there are places like that. I think one of the places I stayed allowed only women inside (where I stayed), but did have a room outside the official convent where pilgrims could stay. I went there first because it had a sign, and they sent me around to the entrance to the convent.

Please see this earlier post which is now a Forum FAQ.
Happy planning and Buen camino!

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/monasteries-convents-and-chapter-houses.37129/

I strongly recommend taking a side trip to Santa Domingo de Silos, outside Burgos. The monks of Silos have been singing Gregorian chant for a thousand years and you can hear them at all of the offices of the day. They also have accommodation -- though for men only. I'm a woman and stayed at a hotel across the plaza from the monastery. I listened to them sing at vespers then went to an early service, when they invited me up to sing with them. An experience I'll remember my whole life.

There should be other info on this forum, but it's one bus a day from Burgos, so you'll need to stay two nights and may want to stay more. If you're willing to step away from walking for a bit of time, it's a memorable visit.