El camino de Santiago
Romanesque along The Way of Saint James
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
During the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago played a fundamental role in the cultural exchange between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. It has since then taken an endless flow of travellers from all over the world to the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, where the shrine of the apostle Santiago (St. James) can be found. As a leading European cultural itinerary, the route obtained UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1993 due to its extraordinary riches, over 1800 buildings, both religious and secularings, both religious and secular, of exceptional historical value. Around almost every corner, one can see cathedrals, Roman roads and bridges, visigothic towers and fortresses, Celtic settlements and monuments, palaces, regional architecture. Besides historic heritage, the Camino offers a richness of local folklore, stunning nature, and interesting ecosystems.
TRIP DESCRIPTION
Designed in collaboration with Dr. Margot Versteeg (University of Kansas) this trip will follow the so called French Route, which starts at Roncevalles in the Pyrenees and takes you across Navarra and the Rioja wine country. Here you will find the largest concentration of Dinosaur tracks in Europe. During the Middle Ages, man believed that these tracks belonged to the horse of Santiago. As we continue our 850 kilometer long journey, we will cross the high plains of Castilla-León and visit the old cities of Burgos and León. We will see the Knights Templars Castle in Ponferrada and end our itinerary in the Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela.
We will spend two days in Santiago, and will have a chance to travel to Cape Fisterra (Lat. Finis Terrae) and enjoy a local meal.
Students will experience first-hand the cultural highlights, local festivities, marvellous nature, and traditional gastronomy of the Camino. Instructors and a number of local guides will be in charge of lectures and site visits.
Since the best way to experiment the pilgrimage tour is on foot, we will walk many of the most scenic portions of the route. Other parts of the tour will be done by bus. During the walks students will have the occasion to meet with pilgrims from all over the world and analyze the earlies expressions of Spanish Romanesque that we will encounter along the way.
During the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago played a fundamental role in the cultural exchange between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. It has since then taken an endless flow of travellers from all over the world to the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, where the shrine of the apostle Santiago (St. James) can be found. As a leading European cultural itinerary, the route obtained UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1993 due to its extraordinary riches, over 1800 buildings, both religious and secularings, both religious and secular, of exceptional historical value. Around almost every corner, one can see cathedrals, Roman roads and bridges, visigothic towers and fortresses, Celtic settlements and monuments, palaces, regional architecture. Besides historic heritage, the Camino offers a richness of local folklore, stunning nature, and interesting ecosystems.
TRIP DESCRIPTION
Designed in collaboration with Dr. Margot Versteeg (University of Kansas) this trip will follow the so called French Route, which starts at Roncevalles in the Pyrenees and takes you across Navarra and the Rioja wine country. Here you will find the largest concentration of Dinosaur tracks in Europe. During the Middle Ages, man believed that these tracks belonged to the horse of Santiago. As we continue our 850 kilometer long journey, we will cross the high plains of Castilla-León and visit the old cities of Burgos and León. We will see the Knights Templars Castle in Ponferrada and end our itinerary in the Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela.
We will spend two days in Santiago, and will have a chance to travel to Cape Fisterra (Lat. Finis Terrae) and enjoy a local meal.
Students will experience first-hand the cultural highlights, local festivities, marvellous nature, and traditional gastronomy of the Camino. Instructors and a number of local guides will be in charge of lectures and site visits.
Since the best way to experiment the pilgrimage tour is on foot, we will walk many of the most scenic portions of the route. Other parts of the tour will be done by bus. During the walks students will have the occasion to meet with pilgrims from all over the world and analyze the earlies expressions of Spanish Romanesque that we will encounter along the way.
Lunch in Zubiri, (class session conducted at the beautiful gothic bridge over the río Arga). The afternoon walk along the riverbanks, from Larrasoaña to Zabaldika. Walking distance is 8.5 km. The bus ride to Pamplona. Visit the Gothic Catedral. If time permits we can make a choice between the Museo Diocesano, Ayuntamiento, Iglesia de San Cernín, Museo de Navarra (housed in a magnificent former hospice) or the Ciudadela. THE ITINERARY
Day 1. Morning visit to the Tour St. Jacques in Paris, from where many pilgrims start their trip to Santiago. Afternoon train to San Sebastián. Pintxchos for dinner and free time to enjoy the nightlife in the most famous Basque city. reading materials for the train ride. Day 2. Early morning walk to the fantastic beach of la Contxa, in San Sebastián. Trip to St. Jean Pied de Port (2 hour drive) in the afternoon. Tour of the old citadel. Registration and pilgrim's passport. Then, bus ride to Roncevalles, high in the Pyrenees. Read excerpts from La chanson de Roland. First "menu del peregrino" (pilgrim’s diner) of the trip in Casa Sabina. Day 3. In Roncesvalles, visit to the gothic Real Colegiata, and start the walk to Burguete (town where Hemingway used to stay). Quick stop at delicious cafétería-panadería Larralde; continue the walk to El Espinal. Total walking distance is 8 km. |
Day 4. In the morning, walk from Cizur Menor (with rest stop at Puerta de Perdón for stunning views and a pilgrim’s monument) and from there descend to Uterga. (12 km). From Uterga, bus ride to Puente de la Reina for lunch. Puente de la Reina has a beautiful bridge and interesting Romanesque churches, the Iglesia del Crucifijo, and the Iglesia de Santiago. After a good rest, a tour of the town, and some discussion of the reading assignment, the group continues to Mañeru, with easy stroll along the vineyards to Cirauqui (Iglesia de San Román, Roman Bridge), and over the old Roman Road to Lorca (9 kms.). Via Villatuerta (Church of La Asunción with beautiful altarpieces and murals) the group continues to Estella where the Bodegas Irache have opened a wine fountain for thirsty pilgrims! Other important monuments in Estella are the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra, Iglesia de San Pedro de la Rúa, Iglesia de San Miguel, Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, Iglesia de El Puy, and the Monastery of Irache. Via Villamayor de Monjardín, Luquín, Los Arcos, Torres del Río, and Viana, the group continues to Logroño. Tapas for dinner and free time in the famous Calle del Laurel.
Day 5. Tour of downtown Logroño and visit to the Iglesia de Santiago. Short bus ride to Pantano de la Grajera, where the walk starts. El pantano de la Grajera consists of eight separate ecological zones around the reservoir. Walk to Navarrete (Iglesia de La Asunción, an absolute must see). In Nájera, visit to the Monasterio de Santa María la Real, built into the cliffs. Via Cañas, walk to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Visit to the Catedral with Damián Forment’s altarpiece, another must-see. In the evening, little excursion to the town of Haro, in the middle of the wine country.
Day 6. Visit to beautiful Villafranca Montes de Oca, and excursion to the arqueological site of Atapuerca, home to the oldest hominids in Europe (ca. 800.000 years old). After lunch, trip to Burgos. Visit to the Hospital del Rey (founded to aid the pilgrims), the Castle, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria, where Spanish epic hero Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, "El Cid", is buried. Visit to the magnificent Royal Monastery of Las Huelgas Reales, which hosts the Museo de Ricas Telas.
Day 7. After a series of stops in Castrojeriz, Frómista (Museo del queso), and Carrión de los Condes, mid-day walk along the original Roman Road from Calzada del Coto to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. Rest stop in Mansilla de las Mulas. Bus ride to León. Visit to the gothic Cathedral and lecture on history and tradition of stain glass windows. Walk through the Roman Walls that surround the city, Gaudi’s fairytale palace - "Casa Botines"- and the Basilica de San Isidoro, a magnificent piece of architecture. |
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Day 8. After a short visit of Astorga, the capital of the maragatos, for coffee and mantecados (local pastries), walk a longer stretch from Fontcebadón, via the Cruz de Hierro (bring a stone and add it to the pile – this is an important pilgrim’s ritual), to El Acebo, the first village of the Bierzo region, or a little further to Molinaseca. Bus ride to Ponferrada. Visit to the Templar’s Castle, and the Museo del Bierzo.
Day 9. Early start for a long day! Morning coffee and stroll through Villafranca del Bierzo. Bus ride to the Puerto de Pedrafita do Cebrerio (1109m high). Hike to O Cebreiro, famous for its bagpipe players and pallozas. Visit to the local Romanesque local chapel, hosting a very old chalice, which legend refers to as the Holy Grail. Pulpo á Feira for lunch, at pulpería Ezqueiel, in Melide. Afternoon walk through Sarria and Barbedella. Short bus ride to Monte do Gozo, from where the towers of Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral are seen. Walk of the last 5 kilometers to final destination: Praza do Obradoiro. Visit to the cathedral and time to explore the Old Town. After dinner, free time to enjoy the nightlife in this medieval, gorgeous college town.
Day 10. Morning walk through Plaza da Quintana, visit to the Cathedral, and the Museo de la Catedral. Mid-morning excursion to Cabo Finisterra. Walk the last three kms. to the famous lighthouse. Stop visits to Celtic sites. Visit to Corrubedo, the village of our own Maria! Bring your swimwear and a towel, since we will visit some amazing beaches. What’s for lunch? What about fresh seafood! Dinner in Santiago.
Days 11 and 12. Trip to Madrid. Visit to El Prado Museum and the Palacio Real, the Retiro Park, the Plaza Mayor and other famous sites. Free time for shopping, and evening treat of chocolate con churros at Churrería San Ginés, the oldest in Madrid.
Day 13. Departure.
Day 9. Early start for a long day! Morning coffee and stroll through Villafranca del Bierzo. Bus ride to the Puerto de Pedrafita do Cebrerio (1109m high). Hike to O Cebreiro, famous for its bagpipe players and pallozas. Visit to the local Romanesque local chapel, hosting a very old chalice, which legend refers to as the Holy Grail. Pulpo á Feira for lunch, at pulpería Ezqueiel, in Melide. Afternoon walk through Sarria and Barbedella. Short bus ride to Monte do Gozo, from where the towers of Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral are seen. Walk of the last 5 kilometers to final destination: Praza do Obradoiro. Visit to the cathedral and time to explore the Old Town. After dinner, free time to enjoy the nightlife in this medieval, gorgeous college town.
Day 10. Morning walk through Plaza da Quintana, visit to the Cathedral, and the Museo de la Catedral. Mid-morning excursion to Cabo Finisterra. Walk the last three kms. to the famous lighthouse. Stop visits to Celtic sites. Visit to Corrubedo, the village of our own Maria! Bring your swimwear and a towel, since we will visit some amazing beaches. What’s for lunch? What about fresh seafood! Dinner in Santiago.
Days 11 and 12. Trip to Madrid. Visit to El Prado Museum and the Palacio Real, the Retiro Park, the Plaza Mayor and other famous sites. Free time for shopping, and evening treat of chocolate con churros at Churrería San Ginés, the oldest in Madrid.
Day 13. Departure.