Surprising background of the Alto del Perdon

[alexwalker]

On one of the first days of our Camino Frances walk, we come to the top of Alto del Perdon, with its windmills, and not least, metal sculptures of pilgrims. But what do these sculptures actually mean?

Here's an explanation:

The Surprising Story Behind the Sculpture on Alto del Perdón

Twelve kilometers after Pamplona, past the fields of grasses splashed with red poppies (or the fields of dry dirt, depending on the time of year), the crumbling monasteries, and the towering hay ba…

caminotimestwo.com

And another (dark) feature also exists there, not known to many firsttimers (or "repeat offenders"):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/memorial-to-civil-war-victims-april-17-2018.7880/

Alto del Perdon is well worth a break and reflection, right at the start of your Camino. Hopefully, there are more reflective moments awaiting for you on your walk: Pay attention: The Camino is a personal learning curve, and the old saying "The Camino will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want"" still goes....

 

[LynnT]

One can find a number of memorials to civil war victims on different caminos as well as the remnants of glorification of those who fought for Franco (although they are disappearing now - the first photo is in Azofra, the second in Villambistia - just after Tosantos).

 

[alexwalker]

One can find a number of memorials to civil war victims on different caminos as well as the remnants of glorification of those who fought for Franco (although they are disappearing now - the first photo is in Azofra, the second in Villambistia - just after Tosantos).

Indeed. Also on the top of the hill after Villafranca Montes del Oca on the Camino Frances:

Villafranca Montes de Oca memorial - Google Search

Just horrible.

But for now, it's about Alto del Perdon

 

[Roland49]

Did know that. I never read a guidebook before starting my CF in 2019. But I stumbled upon this explanation on a website as I was planning my CF.

Hope that I will make it there again.

BC
Roland

 

[Juspassinthru]

On one of the first days of our Camino Frances walk, we come to the top of Alto del Perdon, with its windmills, and not least, metal sculptures of pilgrims. But what do these sculptures actually mean?

Here's an explanation:

The Surprising Story Behind the Sculpture on Alto del Perdón

Twelve kilometers after Pamplona, past the fields of grasses splashed with red poppies (or the fields of dry dirt, depending on the time of year), the crumbling monasteries, and the towering hay ba…

caminotimestwo.com

And another (dark) feature also exists there, not known to many firsttimers (or "repeat offenders"):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/memorial-to-civil-war-victims-april-17-2018.7880/

Alto del Perdon is well worth a break and reflection, right at the start of your Camino. Hopefully, there are more reflective moments awaiting for you on your walk: Pay attention: The Camino is a personal learning curve, and the old saying "The Camino will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want"" still goes....

“Not necessarily what you want” , well said. Thanks for the continuing education.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

the remnants of glorification of those who fought for Franco (although they are disappearing now - the first photo is in Azofra, the second in Villambistia - just after Tosantos).

I have discovered others at Clavijo and Navarette.

 

[lt56ny]

On one of the first days of our Camino Frances walk, we come to the top of Alto del Perdon, with its windmills, and not least, metal sculptures of pilgrims. But what do these sculptures actually mean?

Here's an explanation:

The Surprising Story Behind the Sculpture on Alto del Perdón

Twelve kilometers after Pamplona, past the fields of grasses splashed with red poppies (or the fields of dry dirt, depending on the time of year), the crumbling monasteries, and the towering hay ba…

caminotimestwo.com

And another (dark) feature also exists there, not known to many firsttimers (or "repeat offenders"):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/memorial-to-civil-war-victims-april-17-2018.7880/

Alto del Perdon is well worth a break and reflection, right at the start of your Camino. Hopefully, there are more reflective moments awaiting for you on your walk: Pay attention: The Camino is a personal learning curve, and the old saying "The Camino will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want"" still goes....

Thanks so much and the website is one that I wasn't aware of. I think this "new" website (for me at least) will keep me out of trouble for awhile. Thanks

 

[lt56ny]

Indeed. Also on the top of the hill after Villafranca Montes del Oca on the Camino Frances:

Villafranca Montes de Oca memorial - Google Search

Just horrible.

But for now, it's about Alto del Perdon

People's sympathies in Spain vary greatly about the War. It is a topic that I have great interest in as my Dad was in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain fighting against Franco. I NEVER speak of it with Spaniards unless (it has only happened once), the person brings it up in conversation and makes it very clear where their sympathy lies.

 

[Marbe2]

On one of the first days of our Camino Frances walk, we come to the top of Alto del Perdon, with its windmills, and not least, metal sculptures of pilgrims. But what do these sculptures actually mean?

Here's an explanation:

The Surprising Story Behind the Sculpture on Alto del Perdón

Twelve kilometers after Pamplona, past the fields of grasses splashed with red poppies (or the fields of dry dirt, depending on the time of year), the crumbling monasteries, and the towering hay ba…

caminotimestwo.com

And another (dark) feature also exists there, not known to many firsttimers (or "repeat offenders"):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/memorial-to-civil-war-victims-april-17-2018.7880/

Alto del Perdon is well worth a break and reflection, right at the start of your Camino. Hopefully, there are more reflective moments awaiting for you on your walk: Pay attention: The Camino is a personal learning curve, and the old saying "The Camino will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want"" still goes....

Thank you! I found this interesting!

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Sorry, but why is there a question mark in place of where my avatar used to be until this week?

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Okay, question answered. Please ignore previous. {I was inadvertently logged out . . . or something} All good.

 

[mspath]

On one of the first days of our Camino Frances walk, we come to the top of Alto del Perdon, with its windmills, and not least, metal sculptures of pilgrims. But what do these sculptures actually mean?

Here's an explanation:

The Surprising Story Behind the Sculpture on Alto del Perdón

Twelve kilometers after Pamplona, past the fields of grasses splashed with red poppies (or the fields of dry dirt, depending on the time of year), the crumbling monasteries, and the towering hay ba…

caminotimestwo.com

And another (dark) feature also exists there, not known to many firsttimers (or "repeat offenders"):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/memorial-to-civil-war-victims-april-17-2018.7880/

Alto del Perdon is well worth a break and reflection, right at the start of your Camino. Hopefully, there are more reflective moments awaiting for you on your walk: Pay attention: The Camino is a personal learning curve, and the old saying "The Camino will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want"" still goes....

Alex,
Here is more information
as of October 9, 2021, re the same horrific events/times but in another different location.

 

[alexwalker]

Alex,
Here is more information
as of October 9, 2021, re the same horrific events/times but in another different location.

Thank you. Very, very sad and disturbing.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Lo, though I want to share my experiences, I appreciate this is not the forum for talking about matters related to the Spanish Civil War. That's not a tease so much as plaintive recollection of my tangency with that period and what happened to me in 1975 in a remote corner of Cataluña. I paused at the monument on that hill Alex Walker mentions outside Villafranca Montes de Oca, sat at one of the picnic tables located there, and reflected at length on the horrors of war. All wars.

 

[AlwynWellington]

I paused at the monument on that hill ... outside Villafranca Montes de Oca, sat at one of the picnic tables located there, and reflected at length on the horrors of war. All wars.

I also paused there and reflected as you did.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

I appreciate your sentiment, Alwyn. Thank you for that. I can picture you sitting at that same table. We may yet meet at that bar/tavern/restaurant in Pictin just off to the right and slightly uphill as one gets off the ferry. Or you might come to Anacortes where we also have many ferries and where you would be most welcome. Happy New Year to you.