Ryan Alexander
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Eternal Now
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) |
---|
I know that neighborhood as well as anyone, one of my best friends lives up there, and I've long-term house-sat for her a few times.
O Cebreiro isn't just a major pilgrim stop, it's a tourist destination for people all 'round about. It's also a very tight-knit community of five or six families. There's a wonderful culture of art, architecture, music, and photography, mostly the work of two or three people... If they weren't there, it would be a total Camino Disneyland money-spinner. There's all the rancor, fellowship, jealousy, and small-mindedness you will find in any small town. Outsiders are tolerated if they bring tons of money, but you will forever be a foreigner. The splendidness is VERY seasonal! It is an isolated site, foggy, dark, damp, windy, wet, and practically abandoned for three months of the year, and when there's a big snow it's overrun with half the screaming kids of Ponferrada. In summer, well. You can see what it's like in high season! There IS a need for more pilgrim beds, but only for a very small window of time each season.
It is a fascinating town with a well-kept history. In 1958, a Gallego sociologist named Cunxiero sat down with some O Cebreiro boys and asked them about the historic church in the town. They knew there were monks there, a long time before... and that a miracle supposedly happened there. When he asked them about pilgrims, they didn't know what he was talking about. They did not know what that word meant!
Their grandchildren now run all those hotels, restaurants, and souvenir stands.
Rebekah is so right O Cebreiro is a multi-faceted fascinating place.
For more info regarding some of the complex history and myth see this informative web.
http://www.igrexa.org/cebreiro/frames.html
So that's a yes then, you think people would stay at O Cebreiro if that was a high end albergue/pension there? Thankyou for your response
Would you have stayed though if there had been an alternative off the beaten track, away from the centre of O Cebreiro about 15 mins before?Loved the views at O'Cebreiro and the achievement of reaching the top. The tourist tat was unappealing and I was glad we walked on to the albergue at Fonfria .
One plus, the tourist souvenir shop sold postage stamps.
No it is not a yes! Some people might stay but hardly everyone. Those of us walking on a budget could not easily afford such a 'high end' spot. Furthermore any drastic change of tone/mood to this very special location might be heavily resented and thus ignored.
Building an albergue or hostal is difficult in all of Spain. My guess is that in O Cebreiro it is impossible.
A Spanish couple started an albergue in Villares de Orbigo, a village that is a bit of a dump, in the wife's family home that had been in the family for generations. Even though the village knew her and the family, getting permission was a year long process even for minimal renovations. Building codes become more onerous each year. An accessible bathroom alone will be tens of thousands of Euro, and you could expect inspectors to require a meter wide access and ramps to get to it, and even an elevator if beds were on a different floor. Doing something in a village as quaint and historic as O Cebreiro would be even more difficult. A huge sum of money might work, but there is little likelihood of recouping that money in a five month season of mostly tightwad pilgrims even if there was 100% occupancy during the season. It is unlikely that existing businesses would permit a restaurant or bar, so there likely would be no supplemental revenues.What reasons back up that thought? And why is it difficult?
A Spanish couple started an albergue in Villares de Orbigo, a village that is a bit of a dump, in the wife's family home that had been in the family for generations. Even though the village knew her and the family, getting permission was a year long process even for minimal renovations. Building codes become more onerous each year. An accessible bathroom alone will be tens of thousands of Euro, and you could expect inspectors to require a meter wide access and ramps to get to it, and even an elevator if beds were on a different floor. Doing something in a village as quaint and historic as O Cebreiro would be even more difficult. A huge sum of money might work, but there is little likelihood of recouping that money in a five month season of mostly tightwad pilgrims even if there was 100% occupancy during the season. It is unlikely that existing businesses would permit a restaurant or bar, so there likely would be no supplemental revenues.
That would be the albergue/pension in Laguna de Castillo. It is a farm with renovations that has been there forever. It operates March through November because pilgrim revenues are just a supplement to farming. It opened in 2008 to take advantage of the upcoming Holy Year, and after watching increasing numbers of pilgrims traipse by. There was no cost for the land and building; just the renovations for rooms, the bar, and the restaurant. The probably make more money from pilgrims walking by than from pilgrims staying.it wouldn't actually be in O Cebreiro but in the immediate area.
That would be the albergue/pension in Laguna de Castillo. It is a farm with renovations that has been there forever. It operates March through November because pilgrim revenues are just a supplement to farming. It opened in 2008 to take advantage of the upcoming Holy Year, and after watching increasing numbers of pilgrims traipse by. There was no cost for the land and building; just the renovations for rooms, the bar, and the restaurant. The probably make more money from pilgrims walking by than from pilgrims staying.
Pilgrims generally do not walk laterally from the route. They are in a minimalist attitude where 100 meters that is not in the direction of Santiago is considered miles out of the way!
That would be the albergue/pension in Laguna de Castillo. It is a farm with renovations that has been there forever. It operates March through November because pilgrim revenues are just a supplement to farming. It opened in 2008 to take advantage of the upcoming Holy Year, and after watching increasing numbers of pilgrims traipse by. There was no cost for the land and building; just the renovations for rooms, the bar, and the restaurant. The probably make more money from pilgrims walking by than from pilgrims staying.
Pilgrims generally do not walk laterally from the route. They are in a minimalist attitude where 100 meters that is not in the direction of Santiago is considered miles out of the way!
"The region of Galicia is located in the North West of Spain. It covers an area of 29 574 km2 of which 97.8% is rural. The region is home to 2.7 million people with a depopulation and progressive aging of the population in rural areas. The unemployment rate is 20.7%, among young people more than 45 %.
Of the total area, farmland covers less than one third and forestry more than two thirds. The percentage of forest area in private hands is almost 98% and only 10% has a management plan. 10% of Spanish forests are in Galicia.
The Galician forage area supposes the 28.1% of the total existing in Spain, which demonstrates the importance of the livestock sector in this community. The livestock sector is mainly cattle with a particular focus on dairy production. In 2010, the Galician milk production represented 38 % of dairy production in Spain. The average farm size is 8.2 ha and more than 63% of farms are less than 5 ha while only 10% exceed 20 ha.
The food industry is characterized by the small size of the companies and a priority dedication to primary processing products and low value added that usually affects their competitiveness. The Galician food industry is one of the lowest ranking in Spain in terms of productivity; it has the second lowest gross operating margin and has the lowest value-added sales.
The main challenges of the region are to promote competitiveness of the Galician agriculture through the modernisation of agriculture and forestry, the installation of young farmers in market-oriented farms with capacity for economic diversification and land management. The region also needs to further improve productivity in the food industry as well as forestry by promoting the production of high added value.
In addition there is a need to preserve and enhance the natural heritage of Galicia, promoting the sustainable management of natural resources and combating climate change.
Looking at the wider rural economy, there is a need to improve the quality of life of the rural population by encouraging the provision of basic services to help keep people in rural areas, creating jobs and reducing the risk of poverty."
No justification from me, opportunities are taken by the people who have the eyes to see them, the mind to capture them, and the pragmatic heart to succeed, everything in life is an exchange of energy, take responsibility for yours. The evidence suggests Spain needs help, the unemployment figures speak for themselves!
- It's also a very tight-knit community of five or six families. There's a wonderful culture of art, architecture, music, and photography, mostly the work of two or three people... If they weren't there, it would be a total Camino Disneyland money-spinner. There's all the rancor, fellowship, jealousy, and small-mindedness you will find in any small town. .
I foresee two potential problems.
1) you say you’re looking for solitude - running an albergue will not provide that
2)you want to locate it 15 minutes BEFORE O’Cebreiro. People tend to be focused on getting to the top. While a refreshment stand might be welcome at that point i’m not sure accommodation will do as well. Who is going to nip up to OC to see the sights and then backtrack down the hill to get a bed? Then they’d have to walk up twice! In my opinion 15 minutes past the town would be a better bet.
It might be worth your while to rent a place in or near O’Cebreiro from September to April and bundle the experience(s) in your dreams. Then listen to old Hilton’s advice “location, location, location”
Ryan, a point already made in earlier replies has to do with local politics... if you want to connect with someone from another country who has been involved in a restoration project for some years, you can find information at the abbey.es. It is to be found in Navarra, so not exactly the same terrain as where you are contemplating your project.
I might explain a very distressing situation I ended in as I arrived in cold foggy weather only to find that the large municipal was full, in spite of the upper floor being unoccupied.
The hospitalero was adament not op open the upper floor - nor even letting me stay in a corridor, in fact his voice rose in pitch as this dragged, only to suggest he was packing a lie.
For what reason I couldnt´get out of him: did they have water damage, rats (bats?) in the attic, what ?.
As I couldn´t move another inch that day, it being raining heavily I had to stay in a stone cold room for 40 EU, which I did not have and they took no credit card. Had to borrow from somebody...
Turned out the hospitalero´s wife owned the pension that had the last room in O´Cebreio I was staying in.
And I was so skint that all I had to pay for was a Caldo Gallego and a cheap beer and all the bread they threw at me.
It is the only and last time I have said "Bad Hospitalero" to anybody through clenched teeth...
- Friggin´ Bampot !
Hi Ryan,
I think you're asking good questions, and I'd be happy to share more about our experiences of opening up our Pilgrim House welcome center if you're interested (you can PM me). The most important thing I'd recommend would be that you live in Galicia for a while, without any deadline to open up anything, and just learn about the people, the culture, and the way they do things. Then figure out if, where, and what you might like to do. You may find that O Cebreiro isn't your cup of tea after all, or that it really is perfect for the needs you want to meet and how you want to serve.
We moved to Galicia in 2007 and it wasn't until 2014 that we opened up Pilgrim House - and we needed all 7 of those years to get everything in order. (It's a LONG story!) Not everyone will need that much time - but things definitely went much more slowly and were much, much more complicated than we thought they would be. If you have an EU passport the road will be smoother for you than it was for us, but the more you can integrate first before you start anything, perhaps the more solid what you want to offer will be.
Lots more thoughts if you're interested!
Take care,
Faith
Since you ask about experience of staying I want to reiterate what others have mentioned it is mountain terrain, the farming difficult & finding an old Farmhouse that is not falling in will be difficult. Like most mountain communities they do everything themselves, so you will need a good background in construction,cutting firewood (cords) & I would have a Garden & critters. Then the tools & equipment to sustain it. Money will be important but it will be your skills that will get your family thru the winter. Unless of course you plan on going south for winter. In any case personally at my age the lower elevations would be my choice. Snow, extreme cold & that type of isolation I have lived it, you either love it or find a warmer place. I will be curious to read what you end up doing.I absolutely agree and that would be my plan. This thread was just to test the water to see the experience of others who have passed through/stayed in O Cebreiro. Thankyou, will message you.
Incorrect! The site I'm looking at is literally right next to the path and is around 15 minutes before you reach O Cebreiro. Farming would be a supplemental income for me too, based on a regenerative agriculture model with a Permaculture design.
Do your research. If you can: go for it. If you find you can not, there was no harm in trying.
i didn't pick the area, the area picked me, they're more like barns and yes they exist, hence my line of genuine enquiry, Thankyou for your post and best wishes, God bless.I have the small experience of two Camino Frances, some who have replied have 5 times that number. For me there are between Los Herritas and Triacastela a considerable number of alternative stopping points. I have spoken to pilgrims who have experience the “room rip-off” at OCB and also others who such fun it was the highlight of their Camino. So I guess what I am saying is, is there really the market you aiming for; second does the ruined/abandoned farmhouse exists?
Yes it’s a great, & maybe idealistic dream, but please keep up the research before committing the Euros. Cheers for now
Annie, if you start an albergue I would like to volunteer there!Well @Ryan Alexander I would do it if I could and if I were to retire now!
Why not?
Listen to Rebekah Scott for advice and we hope you already have the deep pockets!
Go for it!
Curious to know people's thoughts/experiences of staying in O Cebreiro, is there demand for another albergue/pension? Any other relevant information appreciated, I saw a story on here about a lady who ran one for a short while and then sold it, was it just not for her, anyone familiar with that story?
Gratitude,
(This isn't a money spinning scheme, my intention is to restore some old ruined properties as I would like a life of solitude, integration is a key component but I'm not afraid to be different either!)
Ryan
Still not seeing any actual obstacles here
That's the one!
Do a Google search for free villages in GaliciaMy dream isn't to open an albergue but to transform ruined farm buildings into something beautiful and of value to the local community and its people, also to regenerate the land it sits on, whatever comes of that is a bonus.
Have you heard of renovation? HahaDutch friends of ours who walked with us in 08 purchased a beautiful property in France and made it into a gite , its east of Angers on the Chemin.
Last time we stayed with them they were concerned about the new laws that would affect any future development or alterations .......*****wheel chair access to gite and also shower.
The buildings you mention Ryan we in disrepair ,
I myself would not touch old damp buildings in a hundred years.
Keep well and have a open mind but Reb is not far off the mark.
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?