Useful information about the Camino of Saint James Pilgrimage and Santiago de Compostela

The Monastery of Samos: art and architecture

Posted in The Camino.

Almost nothing is known about the monastery of Samos during the first centuries of its existence. The oldest of its architectural remains is the small chapel of San Salvador, dating from the 10th century and it still stands next to the tree that gave it its nickname: Ciprés( cypress) chapel. For some historians the chapel was the germ of the monastery, but most think that it was of only secondary importance, probably intended for guests, noble or regal pilgrims with their retinues.

Regarding the church of the monastery, we know that in the twelfth century it was rebuilt in Romanesque style, but of this building only a beautiful Romanesque door has survived. The current architecture of the whole monastery began to be built in the sixteenth century, after a devastating fire in 1533 or 1534 which almost completely destroyed the cloisters and convent dependencies.

 

CapillaCipresSamos Capilla de San Ciprés

 

The Monastery of Samos: history

Posted in The Camino.

 

The monastery of Samos has for centuries played a major role in a section of the Camino de Santiago that runs between Triacastela and Sarria, following the fertile plain that runs parallel to the route cited in the Codex Calixtino and most of the pilgrimage itineraries. The abbey sits on a bend in this glen, with the river Ouribio washing up against its walls. Both the river and the majestic architecture of the abbey are what bestow an identity on the town that, like the municipality, owes its Name to the monastery.

 

MonasterioSanXulianSamos

Sleep on the Camino: other accommodations

Posted in The Camino.

The Camino de Santiago is full of alternatives for sleeping accommodation, many of them at very similar prices ... so, answering this question is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. The most famous accommodations are, of course, the hostels, but not all pilgrims will want to share a bedroom with numerous strangers, or at least not every night ... and also they will not not always find room, either because they made no reservation or finishing the stage Where one ended...

pensión-casa ruralCaminodeSantiago

Sleep on the Camino: Hostels

Posted in The Camino.

The Camino de Santiago is full of options when it comes to where to sleep, many of them charging very similar prices ... so, answering this question is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. The most famous accommodations are, of course, the hostels, but also among them there is a great variety: public and private, and associations both secular and religious ... and with a wide range of prices. 

albergue Triacastela

The Iron Cross

Posted in The Camino.

The Iron Cross is a mound of stones, the most famous of which are found along the Way and are known in the world of pilgrimages as "humilladeros". On this mound is erected a wooden pole, of approximately 5 metres in height, that is ‘crowned’ by an iron cross. The current post is not the original, but a copy. The original post and cross have been transferred to the nearby Museum of the Paths of Astorga, where the pilgrims can visit them and learn the history of this mythical point of the Way.

Ultreia Ring

Anillos Ultreia Rings Camino de Santiago

Jewels of the Camino

pilgrim woman jimena jewels of the camino

 

Joyas del Camino

concha vieira camino santiago scallop shell