Poets, thinkers, makers and creators on the Camino

[Shaz Celeste]

I'm curious to know what gems you have found along the Camino Frances that are run by creatives that would be worth knowing about? Albergues, art galleries/ studios where you can drop in, spiritual/meditation drop in centres, a blend of these and everything in between.

By chance, I've stumbled across a few places in my research which tick one or more of these these boxes. These are:
Espacio Interior (Castrojeriz) - Instagram
Hospital del Alma (Castrojeriz)
Flores del Camino (Castrillo de los Polvazares) - Instagram
The Stone Boat (Rabanal) - Instagram
San Miguel (Hospital de Orbigo) - Booking.com
Blacksmith near Irache
.... you get the idea

Do you have any gems that you can share? I would love to know about them!

(Photo credit of The Soulful Road/ The Stone Boat)

 

[Pelerina]

Staying at Refugio Acacio y Orietta in Viloria de Rioja was a highlight of my Camino Frances walks in 2011 and 2013. Thé hosts are a delightful Brazilian / Italian couple who welcome pilgrims into their home in this tiny village. Just 10 places.

It was a relaxing and peaceful refuge after a long hot walk on both occasions. Their home is adorned with interesting artworks and artefacts. Gathering around their table for dinner was memorable. ❤️

Wise pilgrim describes it well.

Refugio de Peregrinos Acacio y Orietta | Camino de Santiago Guidebooks

Refugio de Peregrinos Acacio y Orietta, Private accommodation in Viloria de Rioja. Nice and relaxed, with no mandatory time to depart in the morning. Acacio and Orietta are authentic, original, and kind pilgrims themselves. The albergue is sponsored by Paulo Coelho, friend to Acacio and Orietta...

www.wisepilgrim.com

Looks like they are still operating. They are listed on Wise Pilgrim and Gronze. 😎

 

[Robo]

Might not be what you are looking for............
But if David Vidal is still at Casa de los Dioses (House of the Gods).
A really interesting guy with great thoughts on "life, the universe and everything"

My wife Pat's reaction to it all was interesting.....

David’s House of the Gods | In Search of Santiago

..

 

[mspath]

There is a beautiful evolving labyrinth by Laurie Dennett in Laguna de las Tablas, a hamlet just outside O Cebreiro as noted by Rebekah Scott in this earlier post.
Surely it would be a lovely spot to visit.

 

[mspath]

For all of us who walked the Camino Frances in the "good old days" this gentle man in Castrojeriz was both a poet and a thinker in his special shop.

 

[dimdog]

I'm curious to know what gems you have found along the Camino Frances that are run by creatives that would be worth knowing about? Albergues, art galleries/ studios where you can drop in, spiritual/meditation drop in centres, a blend of these and everything in between.

By chance, I've stumbled across a few places in my research which tick one or more of these these boxes. These are:
Espacio Interior (Castrojeriz) - Instagram
Hospital del Alma (Castrojeriz)
Flores del Camino (Castrillo de los Polvazares) - Instagram
The Stone Boat (Rabanal) - Instagram
San Miguel (Hospital de Orbigo) - Booking.com
Blacksmith near Irache
.... you get the idea

Do you have any gems that you can share? I would love to know about them!

(Photo credit of The Soulful Road/ The Stone Boat)

View attachment 140420

Hi, I can't remember where it was, but I found a small "hippy" commune, where they were so accommodating, home made cake, fresh tea, & the most relaxed environment, they had created a small labyrinth that ended with a peaceful view thru a valley, the bloke who ran it, was a fellow brit, called Tom.....one of my lasting memories on the CF

 

[Shaz Celeste]

Thank you @Pelerina for the tip to stay at Refugio Acacio y Orietta, I have added this to my list. It looks great.

@Robo thank you for the reminder about David's special place. I follow him on Instagram and look forward to passing his special spot. It has a great energy!

@mspath Two fabulous recommendations, thank you! Exactly what I was looking for. I've done considerable research on Castrojeriz but haven't come across any anecdotes or online references to the Camino store. Always love to hear about a living treasure running a spot like this, I'm looking forward to visiting, thank you! I'm sure he has a lot of stories. I will add the quiet garden to my list too, pending time since it's slightly off the camino. It sounds like exactly the thing that appeals to me. Truly appreciate your tips, thank you!

@dimdog Thank you! I hope I come across this place, it sounds great. Very similar to @Robo's recommendation above but that is run by Spanish David, not British Tom so clearly a different place. I will keep my eyes and ears peeled, thank you!

 

[dqduncan]

I'm curious to know what gems you have found along the Camino Frances that are run by creatives that would be worth knowing about? Albergues, art galleries/ studios where you can drop in, spiritual/meditation drop in centres, a blend of these and everything in between.

By chance, I've stumbled across a few places in my research which tick one or more of these these boxes. These are:
Espacio Interior (Castrojeriz) - Instagram
Hospital del Alma (Castrojeriz)
Flores del Camino (Castrillo de los Polvazares) - Instagram
The Stone Boat (Rabanal) - Instagram
San Miguel (Hospital de Orbigo) - Booking.com
Blacksmith near Irache
.... you get the idea

Do you have any gems that you can share? I would love to know about them!

(Photo credit of The Soulful Road/ The Stone Boat)

View attachment 140420

BIG fan of Stone Boat! Much love to Kim there. You've named some good ones. There's also Art Manton-Lowe near Triacastela. Art by Art. Nice gallery. Interesting man. Another person fundamentally and positively changed after the Camino. Davíd Vidal is mentioned in a post below: for sure. Casa de Silencio in Castrojeriz...tread softly. It's a gentle place.

 

[dqduncan]

There is a beautiful evolving labyrinth by Laurie Dennett in Laguna de las Tablas, a hamlet just outside O Cebreiro as noted by Rebekah Scott in this earlier post.
Surely it would be a lovely spot to visit.

Laurie's place is special. And she's a gem. Glad to know her as a friend. That labyrinth is on the cover of her latest book, Waybread. Since Laurie is a walking encyclopedia of the Camino following the modern resurgence in the mid 80s/early 90s, this is required reading. It's the history most of us don't know with a message for all of us who love the Camino to take up the torch she and Rebekah and others have been carrying.

 

[SeñorJacques]

As I mentioned recently in a post on a different thread, I came across a space in an open-roofed abandoned building on the San Xil route between Tricastela and Sarria last year that was filled with various art installations and meditation spaces as well as a communal table with food and coffee – which was most welcome since we left Triacastela that morning before any cafés were open and hadn't passed anywhere else to fuel up. It was run by volunteers and had a most welcoming vibe, and I had no idea what it was until reading what @dimdog described above and realized it must be the same place. Another Camino "mystery" solved!