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This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
Sorry to hear of your experience. Are there no other pilgrims staying there ?Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
Yeah, I tend to agree with your opinion.Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
I think the OP was referring to the other monument, for the Pope's visit. That is surrounded by a cordon.Yeah, I tend to agree with your opinion.
When I saw it last year, and again this year, it looked like an abandoned barracks of some kind. I think the idea is that it's a kind of backstop for massive pilgrim arrivals, so they can open them one by one as needs require. Maybe if it's pouring rain and cold it could be just what someone needs at the time.
There is the lovely monument of two pilgrims pointing to SdC (not sure if that's the one that you were referring to), it's just across the other side of the hill, which would have made a great viewpoint to watch the sun go down on the city in the distance.
View attachment 59679
I agree. Devasted is pretty strong word for a rather disappointing at worst albergue stay.I never stopped there and was not inspired by its appearance. However, I hope you meant "disappointed" rather than "devastated"!
I'll second the suggestion to stop at the San Lazaro albergue! Just love the place.
Albergue Residencia San Lázaro :: Santiago de Compostela
Información completa del albergue Residencia San Lázaro: dirección, contacto, características, plazas, precios, equipamientos, ...www.alberguescaminosantiago.com
\This has followed me on twitter - they have 9 follwers so far.
Monte do Gozo hostel for pilgrims in Santiago
Much more than a pilgrims’ hostel. The culmination of a life-changing experience. Book at the best price guaranteed and benefit from exclusive advantages on the official website.www.benvidomontedogozo.com
View attachment 59772
Or try the Polish albergue further in to the area. Which monument are you referring to. The large ugly thing on the hill or the statues of the pilgrims pointing at Santiago. There is more to Monte do Gozo than many know about. The 'barracks' are not the nicest but they were built to accommodate huge numbers and they do have good laundry facilities and a bar down in the centreHi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
I've bitten the bullet and decided I will give it a go! At least rooms will be new!Apparently the mammoth albergue at Monte de Gozo is now opened after the massive renovations this past year.
Check it out:
It might be worth another try... I had heard about the renovations, trying to re-expand the capacity to bring the place into full use in time for the coming Holy Year. Camino Frances pilgrim volumes are expected to be DOUBLE the 2018 volume, or about four-five times what they were in 2010, the last Holy Year.
Hope this helps.
It’s 3 years today I walked in Santiago.Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
If Emia felt "devastated" by the experience I'm not sure we have any right to criticize her terminology or diminish how she felt about it.
Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
I also walked by it for a first time in June 2016, and agree wholeheartedly about a dystopian future, and everything that was said above. My thinking was, 'thank goodness we decided earlier NOT to stop here"! Wow, very scary looking place.I stayed at Monte do Gozo June 2016. I felt as if I was on a set for some movie on mankind's dystopian future. No real maintenance except at the one Quonset hut that is the Albergue-- and nothing open in the huge complex. It was abandoned and a bit spooky.
That said, the hospitalero was just as welcoming as any other alb, the beds were good, the showers were hot, the facility was clean, and the kitchen actually had pots and pans so I could cook my emergency ramen. I took it all as a gift from the camino to show me how great it really was--even when contrasted to some of the other fantastic communal experiences.
Monte do Gozo has an interesting history you can find prowling the internet--including a Prince concert there for its 1993 opening. And Rolling Stones in 1999. And festivals in Jubilee Years of 2004 and 2010.
And it is my example of how 'trickle down' economics does not work as well as 'trickle up economics" (Foncebadon). I also suspect that it is an example of junta vs church.
Maybe its soul will return for the next holy year in 2021!! I think I read somewhere -- 900 beds there and they will be needed.
Be thankful you had a place to sleep.Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
Great story!I think there is a psychological component, anticipating Santiago and the end or near-end to the pilgrim experience, that can amplify the sense of sadness or disappointment that some people can feel then if something doesn't go quite right.
Here's my story about Monte do Gozo:
A couple of years ago on the CF, I headed up the hill toward Monte do Gozo with a couple of buddies I'd made along the way. We were all a little giddy, headed to Santiago that day. Half-way up the hill, a small yellow arrow pointed right and a larger yellow arrow pointed left, to continue climbing. I distinctly remembered from the time before that I had turned right there and gone downhill toward a bridge over the highway to the entrance of Santiago (and the Wise Pilgrim app on my phone confirmed this route, too). So my friends followed the arrow going up hill and I headed alone downhill. I didn't see any other walkers taking my route, and I felt a little smug.
Down, down, down to finally see that the bridge was under construction and the whole crossing was closed off. Ugh. I'd walked a long way that day and didn't feel like backtracking.
So I walked back up to the busy street and kept following it, figuring it would continue around the mountain to the other side and I could rejoin the Camino.
Cars were whipping by and there was no shoulder on the road. It was too dangerous to walk further with the speeding traffic. So I spied an overgrown path heading up the hill and I thought "well, I'll just bush-wack my way up there and make a beeline to the top of the mountain." Vines with thorns wrapped around my ankles. Nettles stung me. I had to throw my pack over low tree limbs and either climb over or crawl under them. But I was making progress uphill. Finally, almost to the top, I was stopped by a 4 meter tall brick wall. So I took off my pack and explored the options. I climbed up on a chicken coop, jumped across to an Horreo (that was precariously slanted to the side) and I could see over the wall. The Camino was Right..There.. But it was too far away to jump. A woman watched me from her garden with a quizzical look on her face.
With exasperation and gloom, I turned around and tromped, sidled, and slid in the mud back down the hill to the road. Started to walk one direction and a rear view mirror breezed past my face. Turned the other way and a large truck forced me to jump into the bushes not to be hit.
At this point I did something I often do in such situations; I started laughing. This was absurd. I'm so close to Santiago.. how can this be happening??
Just then a taxi slammed on his brakes and did a dangerous U-Turn to pull up in front of me and wave for me to get in. He seemed to know what was up. He drove me around the mountain and up to where the Camino detour crossed on the other side. The first ride in a motor vehicle in a month and a half. He helped me with my pack, refused to accept any payment and wished me a Buen Camino.
Did I step out of the taxi cab in time for a large group of Pilgrims to come around the bend and see me doing so? Of course.
Hmmmm interesting you mentioned this...I finished my Camino Frances in April and did a brief stopover at Monte de Gozo before heading straight to Santiago. The area did look pretty dead to me and my friend and I did comment that it might look different in the Summer peak period. Needless to say we were glad we pushed through to Santiago.Hi fellow pilgrims,
This might be complaining on a very low level, but...
It was very hot and I was extremely tired after a 30 km walk, so I decided to stay the last night in the albergue municipal in Monte do Gozo, in order to reach SdC fresh and relaxed the next morning. Mind you - not in the low season, but on May 31th 2019.
The pilgrim's monument was hidden behind red/white tape, so you really couldn't have a close look. The part that calls itself a "park" just consisted of some concrete tables and dito benches. The "plaza" was under construction - no bar, no mensa, no outdoor area to sit and enjoy the last night with other pilgrims. Maybe a couple of tables & chairs & parasols in front of the albergue could have saved the last evening, but... nothing, niente, nada. It was the most depressing and sad stay on my whole camino.
In general there wasn't any atmosphere at all, no joy, no connecting with other pilgrims... just a lot of abandoned concrete which reminded me of good old East-Germany. Put a closed fence around it and you could call it a prison. If that is the visiting card just in front of the "gate" to Santiago, it's a bl**dy disgrace.
Maybe they are preparing the area for the next holy year? But all those poor pilgrims will have to wait till 20121 for a little bit of joy & happiness (& drinks & food).
My advice: take a short break on Monte do Gozo and then push on to Santiago.
FYI & BTW: "Lorenzo" is a colloquial name used to refer to the sun, as in "Lorenzo es muy fuerte hoy" (Lorenzo is very strong today). It comes from St, Laurence, who was flayed alive as a martyr for his Christian faith.
As an aside: You can see a very cool statue of the Saint / Martyr in his church in Pamplona... I once had an Anglican pilgrim, attending Mass with me there, ask what was up with the guy holding a 'barbie' (barbeque grill) in his hand. This statue has St. Laurence holding a palm frond in one arm and a rectangular stove grill in the other hand. I do admit, it is an interesting statue. Anyway, I explained about his martyrdom...
Is that what it was? Didn't know that. It looks like it had a restaurant in one of the buildings. Once when I stayed there I roamed about looking inside the different buildings. Didn't help the atmosphere much that it was cloudy, cold and gloomy outside. lolI thought the complex was built for a World Youth Day un the 90's, and now they 're putting a small part of it to good use. Built cheap, cos sort of temporary, hence soviet look.
Didn't know that. It looks like it had a restaurant in one of the buildings
I think it’ll come into use again for the next Holy Year... and people will be grateful to have itThe poor, old Monte de Gozo albergue. Obviously it was constructed with high hopes of filling a need, and with images of hundreds of pilgrims at a time staying there. Unfortunately it is a mere 5 kilometres from the cathedral. Hardly an hour's walk. Few pilgrims wanting to stop their walk while so close. So it became as they say, a "white elephant" and now get's it fair share of criticism and ridicule.
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