LIVE from the Camino Working as hospitalero at Albergue Municipal de La Virgen del Camino

[Martin Doyle]

I am currently working as a Hospitalaro in a newly reopened Donativo Albergue in Vergen del Camino, just a short distance from Leon. It was closed for 5 years due to, initially the pandemic. It is sparkly clean and looking for wayward Pilgrims

 

[naplesdon]

Is that the one just left of the main road? I stayed there once and enjoyed the stay in the town because it was less crowded than Leon and there were several nice restaurant options. I think I remember the albergue had a nicely equipped kitchen as well.

 

[Martin Doyle]

Yes, that is the one. It's sbout 200m off the msin across from the Basilica.

 

[trecile]

Looks nice. Here's the listing on Gronze:

Albergue Municipal de La Virgen del Camino | Albergue de Peregrinos en La Virgen del Camino | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue Municipal de La Virgen del Camino, en La Virgen del Camino: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[dick bird]

We met at Villadangos when Angel was showing you round. We are hospis here. Hope it goes well for you. Send me a PM if you have any questions or queries. Good luck.

 

[Martin Doyle]

We met at Villadangos when Angel was showing you round. We are hospis here. Hope it goes well for you. Send me a PM if you have any questions or queries. Good luck.

Thank you

 

[James van Hemert]

I am currently working as a Hospitalaro in a newly reopened Donativo Albergue in Vergen del Camino, just a short distance from Leon. It was closed for 5 years due to, initially the pandemic. It is sparkly clean and looking for wayward Pilgrims

Wayward yes. Also weary pilgrims?

 

[Bert45]

I walked the CF in 2022. I reached La Virgen del Camino and found that the first hostal [HostalRestaurante Central] was full, but they could have told me that the albergue (which the sign said was open) was closed.
Is yours the Albergue de Peregrinos D. Antonino y Dña. Cinia?

 

[Martin Doyle]

Yes it is. It was closed for covid and only just reopened.

 

[FourSeasons]

I believe I stayed here in Sept 2013. I decided not to stay in Leon so I pressed on to La Vergin del Camino. It was a bit of a walk off the main road but worth it. I wasn’t feeling well the next morning. I was graciously allowed to stay an extra night and was so grateful for it. It was my only rest day. It is a very nice albergue. Thank you for serving. Have fun and God Bless.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Yes, that is the one. It's sbout 200m off the msin across from the Basilica.

If it is the same place, then it is a large building and when I was there in 2019 it seemed to have a mixture of pilgrims and locals who didn't fit into average society.

 

[dougfitz]

If it is the same place, then it is a large building and when I was there in 2019 it seemed to have a mixture of pilgrims and locals who didn't fit into average society.

My wife and I stayed there in 2016. The albergue is in a complex of buildings with other uses, but when we were there the albergue dormitories were for pilgrims, not locals. I cannot speak for other buildings in the complex.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

My wife and I stayed there in 2016. The albergue is in a complex of buildings with other uses, but when we were there the albergue dormitories were for pilgrims, not locals. I cannot speak for other buildings in the complex.

Quite possibly, mostly I encountered the locals on the grounds. I had, mistakenly, assumed that the locals were housed in a different room from pilgrims but they could equally have been in a different building.

This albergue did seem quite popular with cyclists for some reason.

I had a very nice and long conversation with an Australian cyclist. He was a Turkish Australian and it was about six weeks after the Christchurch massacre and so we talked about intolerance amongst other things.

 

[LisaMorales]

I am currently working as a Hospitalaro in a newly reopened Donativo Albergue in Vergen del Camino, just a short distance from Leon. It was closed for 5 years due to, initially the pandemic. It is sparkly clean and looking for wayward Pilgrims

Thank you for serving.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Martin Doyle, Congrats on taking on the role as Hospitalaro. Being a newly renovated albergue it should be a little easier to keep clean. From what I read in Brierley it has 40 beds in one room?
For pilgrims who are wishing to "avoid" Leon its, imho, a great alternative. For you having Leon a 10km bus ride you have some great "day off" options. Cheers

 

[dougfitz]

From what I read in Brierley it has 40 beds in one room?

I recall there being two dormitories there, but that might have changed.

 

[Martin Doyle]

There are 2 dormitories with 20 beds in each. We have not been too busy yet so are trying to use 1 to reduce cleaning efforts.