A brief history
The Pilgrim Station of Santo Domingo was originally mainly the work of one man. Santa Domingo founded the town in the 11th century to help pilgrims who were undertaking a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. He built a bridge over the river, a hospital, shelter and a hermitage. The original hermitage became a church and then a cathedral. And the old pilgrim’s hostel, opposite the cathedral, is now a parador. He also rebuilt a section of the route between Najera and Redecilla de Camino.
Santa Domingo feels very self-contained and very different from Los Arcos, our previous stop on the Camino. To begin our stay the obvious thing to do was to walk round the walls.
The walls
Opposite the Puerta del Pinal is the Basilica of San Francisco and the Parador of San Bernardo de Fresnada. (Separate post to come.)
The Camino
Saint Dominic (Santa Domingo) was clearly a remarkable man. He came from a poor family and was drawn to the church at an early age. The development of pilgrim facilities in Santa Domingo de la Calzada was his lifetime’s work.
Another pilgrim hostel on the Calle Mayor in Santa Domingo. It is managed by the brotherhood which was created by Santa Domingo.
The Pilgrim Station of Santa Domingo is extraordinary, particularly if you see the town and think about it in the context of the Camino. If however you are looking for spills and thrills this town won’t do it!