Memorial Garden for Denise Thiem near Astorga

rappahannock_rev · May 30, 2023

Just outside Astorga, on the left side of the Frances route to El Ganso and Rabanal and very near the Ecce Homo ermita, a Memorial Garden was established c2015 in the wake of the murder of Denise Thiem. A maple tree was planted there in her memory, I believe.....

What is the current status/condition of that Garden?

SCT · May 30, 2023

I passed by the garden and lingered there at the end of April. It is very nice and the tree for Denise is marked.

Robo · May 30, 2023

I visited in early May. One of the reasons I went via Astorga.

Lots of Pilgrims getting stamps at the small chapel nearby but no one really seemed aware of the Memorial Grove sadly.

Peter J Martin · May 30, 2023

rappahannock_rev said:
Just outside Astorga, on the left side of the Frances route to El Ganso and Rabanal and very near the Ecce Homo ermita, a Memorial Garden was established c2015 in the wake of the murder of Denise Thiem. A maple tree was planted there in her memory, I believe.....

What is the current status/condition of that Garden?

There is also a memorial in that garden to an English Priest who I believe died while walking the Camino

Rick of Rick and Peg · May 30, 2023

Robo said:
Lots of Pilgrims getting stamps at the small chapel nearby but no one really seemed aware of the Memorial Grove sadly.

One reason must surely be that some entrepreneur has set up business there. The grove had originally been been marked Pilgrims Memorial Grove on Google Maps but someone got Google to switch titles and remove @Rebekah Scott's website.

The grove changed from a memorial to a picnic area called
ÁREA DE DESCANSO PARA PEREGRINOS

Google Maps

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maps.app.goo.gl

jdpiguet · May 30, 2023

May the following webpage can bring some lights?
Pilgrim Memorial in Astorga
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.

Yoyo · May 30, 2023

Rick of Rick and Peg said:
One reason must surely be that some entrepreneur has set up business there. The grove had originally been been marked Pilgrims Memorial Grove on Google Maps but someone got Google to switch titles and remove @Rebekah Scott's website.

The grove changed from a memorial to a picnic area called
ÁREA DE DESCANSO PARA PEREGRINOS

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

The majority of the pictures displayed under that link have not been taken at the memorial site after Astorga, but rather at "La Casa de los Dioses", that lovely donativo rest/food place before Astorga.

Rick of Rick and Peg · May 30, 2023

Yoyo said:
The majority of the pictures displayed under that link have not been taken at the memorial site after Astorga, but rather at "La Casa de los Dioses", that lovely donativo rest/food place before Astorga.

Thank you. I had missed La Casa de los Dioses on our camino so I wasn't aware of it and I haven't ever seen the actual Pilgrims Memorial Grove as Denise had only recently died when I passed the area. I do notice the La Casa de los Dioses sign in one of the pictures now.

Kathar1na · May 31, 2023

Rick of Rick and Peg said:
The grove changed from a memorial to a picnic area called ÁREA DE DESCANSO PARA PEREGRINOS

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

As already mentioned, someone made the mistake of putting his photos of the Casa de los Dioses near the Ecco Homo area on Google Maps but that is wrong: Ecco Homo is on the Camino Francés after Astorga while La Casa de los Dioses is before Astorga.

The Ecco Homo area appears to be labelled as an área de decanso by the town of Valdeviejas and not only as a place of memorial, see for example Valdeviejas acondiciona su área de descanso situada junto a la ermita del Ecce Homo - intended for pilgrims passing through Valdeviejas, for those who come to see the church of Ecce Homo and for families who go out for a day in the countryside.

PS: @Rick of Rick and Peg, maybe you can add Pilgrim Memorial Grove in Google Maps next to área de decanso and not in place of it?

Peter Fransiscus · May 31, 2023

rappahannock_rev said:
Just outside Astorga, on the left side of the Frances route to El Ganso and Rabanal and very near the Ecce Homo ermita, a Memorial Garden was established c2015 in the wake of the murder of Denise Thiem. A maple tree was planted there in her memory, I believe.....

What is the current status/condition of that Garden?

I visited the Memory tree at May 14th 2022.

wayfarer · May 31, 2023

It was thanks to @Rebekah Scott and donations from members here that this memorial garden is a reality. It might not be a bad idea for those who wish to donate to it's upkeep to donate through Reb's website.

CWBuff · May 31, 2023

rappahannock_rev said:
Just outside Astorga, on the left side of the Frances route to El Ganso and Rabanal and very near the Ecce Homo ermita, a Memorial Garden was established c2015 in the wake of the murder of Denise Thiem. A maple tree was planted there in her memory, I believe.....

What is the current status/condition of that Garden?

I recall stopping at Ecce Homo Ermita but I reckon somehow missed the Memorial Garden.
Now Im sad..... and absolutely have to go back

Rebekah Scott · Jun 3, 2023

The memorial is still there, but the plan we had drawn up for a wall for plaques honoring fallen pilgrims was rather mangled in the machine of Astorga's Covid-era Parks board. There are three steel uprights alongside a garden bed, behind a low wall. Mounted on the steel are stone plaques for several pilgrims; I have one more to put up (some may recall Ian Kitchen, aka SagaLout, late of this forum?
Anyway the garden is still maintained, but the memorial wall kinda lost its impetus as my schedule filled up. I really need someone who lives nearer to step up and take it over...

KathyRugg · Jun 4, 2023

Rick of Rick and Peg said:
One reason must surely be that some entrepreneur has set up business there. The grove had originally been been marked Pilgrims Memorial Grove on Google Maps but someone got Google to switch titles and remove @Rebekah Scott's website.

The grove changed from a memorial to a picnic area called
ÁREA DE DESCANSO PARA PEREGRINOS

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

The site you gave directions to is located between Hospital de Órbigo and Astorga, not after Astorga. I’m not sure where the memorial grove is but I think the original poster said it was after Astorga.

Silus · Jun 4, 2023

I was there May 4th. No one else was at the memorial and the church had just opened so maybe there would be more visiting later.

The gardens were well maintained, mowed and the sprinklers were on when I arrived.

Very beautiful spot.

Karl Oz · Jun 4, 2023

I think a tree is a wonderful memorial.

Rebekah Scott · Jun 5, 2023

Karl Oz said:
I think a tree is a wonderful memorial.

I do too. We first intended this to be a park of trees, but the memorial plaques interfered with the roots... and the park maintenance guys objected to the complicated mowing required.

Theatregal · Sep 29, 2023

I visited the garden this morning and was happy to have a chance to light a candle in the Ermita del Ecce Homo in remembrance of Denise.

SCT · Sep 29, 2023

It is a beautiful place and sacred place. Thanks for posting.

OzAnnie · Sep 30, 2023

Theatregal said:
I visited the garden this morning and was happy to have a chance to light a candle in the Ermita del Ecce Homo in remembrance of Denise.

View attachment 157268 View attachment 157276 View attachment 157267 View attachment 157271

Yes., we paid our respects the day before you Caryn.
Jill knew where it was / easy to miss it. Also chatted to the warden there at the ermita and lit a candle. It was very special. A few plaques there on the wall too.

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Memorial Garden for Denise Thiem near Astorga

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