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Church Run Albergues - Camino Frances

GailGwyn

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
part Camino Frances (2013), Part Camino Norte (2014)Camino Frances (2019)Camino Portuguese (2020)
Hi, we're going to be walking the Camino Frances at the end of April. I'd really like to stay in albergues that are run by volunteers or the church. It's important to me to make this Camino a religious/spiritual pilgrimage as far as possible. Last time we walked, I missed out on some wonderful places that I only read about after. I wondered if anyone on the forum might have a list of such albergues? Thanks.
 
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Look on Gronze for albergue parroquial.

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...
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Thank you.
 
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Asociacion Acogida Cristiana (ACC) https://www.facebook.com/acc.web/ was designed for this, but it's debateable whether they've met the expectation or not. Several albergues staffed by Hosvol volunteers are parish-run; and a few are run by the religious order that lives alongside. I don't know if there is a comprehensive list of them all... some parochhials are as rinsed-free of sprirituality as a corporate cafeteria, while others are complete lights in the darkness (Tosantos, Granon, Santa Maria in Carrion, Santa Cruz in Sahagun, and the Cistercian albergue in Sto. Domingo de la Calzada...and the Benedictinas in Leon all spring to mind)...
 
Thank you Rebekah. I'll make a note of the ones you mention and will look at the link. I do remember stopping for refreshments at a place advertising 'free hugs'. It was full, but I remember thinking that if I ever return I'd like to stay there, but I can't remember where it was, or the name of the albergue. Can anyone help?
 
Are you looking for albergues run by volunteers or the church or both? Plenty of volunteer ones out there that have little to no “spirit”. Others, like the aforementioned Tosantos/Grañon/etc are lovely and spiritual, but not specifically religious.

While the parochial albergue in Logrono is pretty sterile physically, we found dinner and the evening reflection in the church (accessed through a “secret” door and hallway) to be quite moving. Zubiri also has a nice one run by a private group but assisted by the nuns who live there.
 
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Thank you Vacajoe. I would like to stay at albergues with 'spirit' whether or not they are run by the church. I stayed at Granon last time and loved it. I would have liked to stay in more albergues similar to that one. I would like the chance to attend Mass as often as is possible too. I think most towns/villages seem to have Mass around 7p.m, but again, sometimes I missed this. More attention needed this time around
 
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I remember in Viana, the parochial albergue was nice and we had discussions and prayer after the communal diner. Grañon was a great highlight of my camino and in Ligonde, the Fuente del Peregrino was also a place with a « spirit ».
 
San Miguel in Estella (top of the hill) is also parochial. We served there in 2019, but pilgrim Mass was only one day per week instead of daily like at some of the others.
 
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Some simple albergues (no electricity) located in Churches or former churches are San Anton and one right before you cross the river after Castrojeriz. Sorry I don't remember the name, but they do foot washing there.
 
J Willhaus said:
Some simple albergues (no electricity) located in Churches or former churches are San Anton and one right before you cross the river after Castrojeriz. Sorry I don't remember the name, but they do foot washing there.
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
I feel the same way OP. My next Camino I hope to make it more religious/spiritual. One of my favourites was Zabaldika. I am not sure if it is open right now or not though. We were able to spend time in the church and leave prayer requests on sticky notes. We also got to ring a very old bell. There was Mass, a communal supper and a very beautiful prayer/discussion time.
 
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We visited there last time. Someone told us about the beautiful church and about ringing the bell. Sadly, we didn't stay there as we were booked in at Pamplona and had stayed in Zubiri, so hadn't walked far.

I had decided that we would definitely stay there this time, but unfortunately they won't be open in early May when we're walking. I think someone posted that they'll open in June.

I hope you get to stay there again.
 
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
@GailGwyn, I'm really curious about your experience on the Camino. Did you find places that met your expectations? I'm going within some weeks, so I'm open to suggestions
Recently someone told me about Oasis Trails, in Villa mayor de monjardin. Auberge run by christians and with a religious evening program, he told me.
 
HaveTE said:
Recently someone told me about Oasis Trails, in Villa mayor de monjardin. Auberge run by christians and with a religious evening program, he told me.
Click to expand...
I stayed there in July and it was a lovely (though very warm) night. Very welcoming and friendly place and we had a nice dinner.
 
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Hi, I haven't heard of Oasis Trails. Maybe someone else on the forum may know of them?
You'll have a wonderful time on Camino. Just be open to experiences and enjoy
 
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