Largest stone pile (don't laugh) as seen in The Way

[TricieSue]

First off, let me make clear for the purists
that I have dreamed of walking the Camino de Santiago for over 15 years and my health is finally improved to the point I am able
(allow me a woohoo, please .... lol thanks)

Anyhoo - AFTER I started planning ... I started searching for a way (pardon the pun) to help my family understand this drive (errrr bad choice of word lol) ... to walk the Camino.

In Google-ing I came across a movie called The Way
which I watched yearrrrrrrrrrs after knowing about the Camino
(only clarifying this for the purists)

It was somewhat sappy - although it Was quite useful for my family/friends to have more empathy for this passion of mine.

During the movie, there was a large pile of stones the characters left their stones on ...
does anyone know where that is?

 

[CaminoGen]

That's the Cruz de ferro. It's a wonderful place where you leave a stone you brought from home. For me, it meant leaving behind things that weighted me down. I recommend getting there early, before the bus tourists arrive.

 

[markss]

The Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) is located at the highest point along the Frances Route just short of 30 km past the town of Astorga. It is one of the more significant Camino landmarks.

If my understanding as well that it is customary to bring a stone from your home to lay at the cross. Likewise I understand that the significance is that upon leaving the stone behind that had until then been weighing down your backpack it is symbolic of also leaving behind the burdens that you carry in life. For many this brief stone leaving ritual becomes very powerful and emotional.

There are assorted other seemingly arbitrary points along the Camino where people have piled stones, although none nearly as great in number as here. Having heard of this prior to setting out on my first Camino I brought a stone from home. However not knowing what to expect I left my stone at the first somewhat large pile that I encountered thinking that it was there where traditionally the stones were left behind. I soon realized that I jumped the gun a bit. To salvage what I could I picked another stone along the way to take to the Cruz de Ferro. It all worked out OK in the end. My life has not been troubled since!

P.S. CaminoGen didn't mention in her post ... the photo of her in the profile is atop the stone pile at the Cruz de Ferro. Very appropriate!

 

[newfydog]

There is a piece of pumice from Oregon there....rock so light it floats.

We are indeed lucky to have that as a stone to carry from the homeland!!

 

[julie]

I recommend getting there early, before the bus tourists arrive.

I second that! I intentionally didn't carry a stone from home as I didn't feel the need to have a physical representation of my worries - heck, I didn't even know I had any worries until the Camino revealed them to me. My stone was therefore a virtual one but the Cruz de Ferro experience was powerful nonetheless.

However, just as I approached the Cross, a busload of tourists pulled up. To the sounds of their laughter as they ran over the mound and read the heartfelt pilgrim messages, I retreated to sit under a tree where I promptly burst into tears because of my own heightened emotions at being there and also in indignation at their insensitivity.

To my shame, I didn't have the courage to speak to them, to try to help them understand. At the time I didn't want to be the weeping pilgrim in their photo albums.

 

[tyrrek]

I must be lucky as I've not encountered any bus tours on my 2 Caminos passing the Cruz.

On my second Camino I hadn't intended to walk that far so I hadn't brought a stone from home. I just picked one up along the Way. For me the symbolism is 'leaving behind something from where you've come from' so it didn't have to be specifically from home. It could just be from Rabanal!

Buen Camino!

 

[SabsP]

I must be lucky as I've not encountered any bus tours on my 2 Caminos passing the Cruz.

On my second Camino I hadn't intended to walk that far so I hadn't brought a stone from home. I just picked one up along the Way. For me the symbolism is 'leaving behind something from where you've come from' so it didn't have to be specifically from home. It could just be from Rabanal!

Buen Camino!

For me personally Cruz de Ferro doesn't hold any form of symbolism. I did leave my symbolic stones at certain places, with certain people on the Camino...

 

[efdoucette]

There is a stone there from the beach at Halifax harbour, Nova Scotia.

 

[tyrrek]

There is a stone there from the beach at Halifax harbour, Nova Scotia.

There's a stone from my less beach-like front yard in Halifax, West Yorkshire (from last year). I think your Halifax is a bit more happening than mine! Buen Camino!

 

[markss]

When passing through airport screening on the outbound flight enroute to Spain, the stone in my bag got scrutinized by security personnel. One official showed it to another who began a short discussion. The official asked "what is this?" I said, "It is a stone. That may seem odd to you but I can explain". Without an explanation he replied that stranger items are carried onto airplanes by people. Then he confiscated my jar of peanut butter.

 

[miguel_gp]

It can be found here on google maps and somebody has even gone to the lengths of making a 3D model of it in Google Earth.


Despite that I can't spot which stone is yours, Tyrrek

 

[tyrrek]

I couldn't swear to it, but I think it's the one...

 

[sillydoll]

The Cruz is just before the highest point of the Camino Frances - higher than the pass in the Pyrenees.
The original pile is thought to have been started by the Romans in hobnour of the god Mercury. The hermit who lived closeby (Gaucelmo) topped the pile with a cross, thereby Christianizing a pagan monument - not unusual on the Camino as many of the cathedrals and other monuments are thought to have pagan foundations and origins.

 

[Kiwi-family]

There are eleven stones there from our yard in New Zealand....as we were about to hop in the van to drive to the airport I said to everyone, "Ask no questions, just do as I say....go an pick up a little stone that you like and put it in your pocket and don't lose it" Of course, they did ask questions, but I told them they would know why they were carrying it when we got there. And they did. Before we climbed to the top and laid them down I explained to them what it was all about and we talked a bit about God's grace freely given to us which allows us to not carry burdens through life. It turned out to be one of the thoughtful and moving moments of the Camino - even with a bunch of kids!

 

[tyrrek]

There are eleven stones there from our yard in New Zealand....as we were about to hop in the van to drive to the airport I said to everyone, "Ask no questions, just do as I say....go an pick up a little stone that you like and put it in your pocket and don't lose it" Of course, they did ask questions, but I told them they would know why they were carrying it when we got there. And they did. Before we climbed to the top and laid them down I explained to them what it was all about and we talked a bit about God's grace freely given to us which allows us to not carry burdens through life. It turned out to be one of the thoughtful and moving moments of the Camino - even with a bunch of kids!

Lovely! Buen Camino!

 

[lizlane]

Back in the day, pilgrims carried the stones to actually make the journey harder so their penance and indulgence would be complete! :shock:

Now we just carry backpacks!!

 

[tyrrek]

Back in the day, pilgrims carried the stones to actually make the journey harder so their penance and indulgence would be complete! :shock:

Now we just carry backpacks!!

...and mobile phones, iPods etc. Ha ha! :lol: Buen Camino!

 

[Al the optimist]

On an "ordinary" (not walking) holiday I once had my shaving soap confiscated!

 

[TerryB]

The Cruz is just before the highest point of the Camino Frances - higher than the pass in the Pyrenees.
The original pile is thought to have been started by the Romans in honour of the god Mercury. The hermit who lived closeby (Gaucelmo) topped the pile with a cross, thereby Christianizing a pagan monument - not unusual on the Camino as many of the cathedrals and other monuments are thought to have pagan foundations and origins.

Although not on "the Camino" the church at Lebena in the Picos is a good example.
Santa María de Lebeña C. 920
The frontal piece of the main altar is occupied by a large flagstone, which was part of the old floor that appeared when some works took place inside the church in 1971. When the flagstone was lifted it revealed some interesting carvings, the most outstanding representation being a solar symbol. This could be an antique Celtic stella.

Blessings
Tio Tel

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are a lot of boulders at the Cruz de Ferro; I doubt anyone carried them to the pile...

 

[Abbeydore]

Can you do the Camino by truck :?: :lol: (laughing)

Personally I didn't take a stone, it was very moving, said a prayer & moved on saying more prayers down the new path. It was very cold & we were in the clouds........more like this:

(thank you Margaret, Kiwi Nomad)