It was easy to spend four days in Santa Domingo de la Calzada, and most enjoyable as the Parador is very comfortable. This town was all about the saint who supported pilgrims undertaking the camino.
The Parador of Santa Domingo
There are two paradors in the town, but ‘our’ building is on the small square next to the Cathedral. It was the old pilgrim hostel, founded by San Domingo to help pilgrims on the Camino. The seating area on the ground floor shows the remains of the original building, and comfortable modern accommodation has been added above. Our room was beautiful, overlooking the roof garden, food was good, and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
There is a second parador in the town, the Parador Bernado de Fresneda. It is part of the monastery of San Francisco and both date from the 16th century. This parador was also once a pilgrim hostel and the complex of buildings now includes a museum.
The Monastery of San Francisco
The museum in the monastery
The museum is between the parador and the church and I can find absolutely no information at all about the museum on the internet. So, all I have is photographs to share with you.
Walking round the walls
Walking around the walls of an old town like this is always rewarding and certainly motivating – you have to get back to the beginning! The walls date from the 12th-14th centuries. Originally there were 1,670 metres of walls, with 38 (?) towers and 7 gates.
Walking along the river
The River Oja which has named the region of Rioja flows just outside the walls, so we decided a walk would be a good idea, doubling back through a newer, less touristy area of the town to see something more contemporary and realistic. The river is lovely and the town is small so it was a good stroll for the end of a day.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral is a curious building. We visited more than once and finally I was left with mixed feelings: the Romanesque end is very beautiful, the building is a jumble of styles, but I just couldn’t come to terms with the live chickens!
Around the town
We wandered around the town every day, and sometimes twice! And there was always something to see – pilgrims, local vegetable sellers, bakeries, corners
Two day trips
The town is quite small and so we took two wonderful day trips – to Ezcaray and San Millan de la Cogolla.
And then it was time to move on – four days in Santo Domingo de la Calzada had been busy and fabulous.
I would love to hear from you!