sites to not miss

[mariahiles]

Hello fellow pilgrims. I will begin my journey at the end of August, and - since there is not a lot of time for sightseeing, I'm wondering what are the spots (castles? etc.) not to miss? Your guidance would be most appreciated. Thanks!

 

[NicMen]

Hi mariahiles.
I guess it all depends on what your interests are... I started my Camino from Lourdes to Santiago at the end of August last year and loved different aspects of it. The scenery, the churches, the cities and the fellow pilgrims I met along the way. I am a keen photographer and enjoyed the cultural aspects such as festivities in Pamplona (medieval celebrations) and Cirauqui's Fiesta del Vino (wine fest), for instance; loved the old cathedrals in Burgos and Leon; the mountain streams along the Chemin de Piedmont in the South of France; learning how to use the walking sticks during the crossing of the Pyrenees; the pinchos in Logroño; the taste of the grapes, wild berries and the figs in a hot September afternoon; looking at the wide Spanish skies while lying on a bale of hay; the Hermit of San Nicolás; the Albergue Verde in Hospital de Orbigo; Ventosa and Torres del Río; the nuns singing in the Iglesia de Santa María del Camino in Carrión de los Condes and the Botafumeiro during the pilgrims mass in the Catedral de Santiago... or any pilgrims mass for that matter!
What is there not to like along the Camino?! So, the best answer I can give to your question is... DO NOT MISS BEING THERE, PRESENT AT EVERY MOMENT! Be aware, be awake, do not miss YOU IN EVERY MOMENT, IN EVERY STEP!!! ...for whatever is worth...
BUEN CAMINO!

 

[scruffy1]

Several places right on the Camino, Eunate Church just before Puente La Reina - leaving Logroño pick your head up to see the most amazing Matamoros on the Camino on the facade of the Iglesia de Santiago, Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas today a museum in Burgos, take the tour, San Isodoro in Leon the Royal Pantheon not the church which is next door, Vilar de Donas just before Palas de Rei, and in Santiago my favorite and most amazing church, Santa María la Real de Sar, living proof for why they invented the butress.

 

[Kanga]

I keep finding new things - so I keep returning. That seems to be the answer!

 

[scruffy1]

PS The so-called Templar Castle in Ponferrada is more Disney than Templar-they didn't build it and they didn't stay for long-something like George Washington Slept Here in North America it can be admired from outside and skipped, if you like Romanesque sculpture )I certainly do) then San Martín de Tours de Frómista is for you, the church is rather austere but look up for the capitals on all the columns.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In Leon there is the gothic cathedral of course but during the camino I found a great appreciation for the romanesque period. The camino in Leon passes the Basilica of San Isidoro and attached to that is a museum that conatains books and other objects of that period but there were two things that absolutely fascinated me, the 11th century Royal Pantheon and the chalice of Dona Urraca, one of the Holy Grails that Europe is so full of. The Royal Pantheon is sometimes called the "Sistine Chapel of Romanesque art" and a recent book documented the chalice (and did such a job that it might be off display for awhile.) If you are a Gaudi fan then see the Casa de los Botines (in front there is a statue of Gaudi sketching the building.) It won't take long to see this so don't fret about putting it into an already tight schedule.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalice_of_Doña_Urraca
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Isidoro
http://www.santogrialdeleon.org/en/basilica-of-san-isidoro/royal-pantheon
http://www.santogrialdeleon.org/en/

 

[jimabfalter]

Hello fellow pilgrims. I will begin my journey at the end of August, and - since there is not a lot of time for sightseeing, I'm wondering what are the spots (castles? etc.) not to miss? Your guidance would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Astorga is not to be missed. If you are planning a rest day or twothis would be a great place for one. We found ourselves taking lots of rest days to enjoy local things along the way. I was very busy with other pilgrims though from late August through the first part of Oct.

 

[mariahiles]

Thank you all, this is very helpful. This is my first Camino, and only my 2nd trip anywhere, and I'm traveling from BC Canada, so quite the trip for this non traveler! I am eagerly anticipating "all" experiences and sights. Grasias!

 

[mariahiles]

Astorga is not to be missed. If you are planning a rest day or twothis would be a great place for one. We found ourselves taking lots of rest days to enjoy local things along the way. I was very busy with other pilgrims though from late August through the first part of Oct.

I am certainly "hoping" for a rest day or two! Anything particular in Astorga? Any good massage places? haha

 

[peregrina2000]

Astorga has a very pretty square and the cathedral is worth a visit too. And there have been some Roman ruins discovered that are now visible. But IMO the top site is a visit to the inside of the Gaudi Bishop's Palace. It's now a museum. I have a vivid memory of the Cordoba-mosque-like architecture inside, which I found beautiful, but no memory of whatever was on display on the walls. But for my money, the architecture is worth the price of admission.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Hello fellow pilgrims. I will begin my journey at the end of August, and - since there is not a lot of time for sightseeing, I'm wondering what are the spots (castles? etc.) not to miss? Your guidance would be most appreciated. Thanks!

unless you take 'days off', you most likely won't want to sightsee after a day on the Camino. places 'off the Camino' (usually too far to walk to) that are worth visiting are also usually hard to get to via public transport. in any case, you'll be walking past castles, cathedrals, and convents - and if they are open, pay up and have a look round.

the chapel of santa maría de eunate is just off the french camino at puente la reina and on the aragon route, i think it's worth the effort to get too.

Buen Camino!

 

[wilburd]

Astorga has a very pretty square and the cathedral is worth a visit too. And there have been some Roman ruins discovered that are now visible. But IMO the top site is a visit to the inside of the Gaudi Bishop's Palace. It's now a museum. I have a vivid memory of the Cordoba-mosque-like architecture inside, which I found beautiful, but no memory of whatever was on display on the walls. But for my money, the architecture is worth the price of admission.

Please do not forget the "Chocolate Museum"!