We had enjoyed a fabulous few days in this important stop on the camino but now it was time to journey onwards, from Santo Domingo to Limpias. The wonderful weeks in Spain were coming to an end.
Read more: Santo Domingo to LimpiasSanta Domingo to Medina de Pomar
We drove out of the square in front of the parador under the portico of the cathedral and took the road to Haro.
The day was overcast and the road to Haro was flat, passing through intensively farmed countryside. Then we turned west and travelled parallel to the mountains.
Near Salas de Bureba the road turned towards the north, along the boundary of the Natural Park, and then through the park and amongst the mountains. It was very beautiful, and dramatic, and it was a lonely road. And in this remote area of Spain there wasn’t a single pothole in the road which was smoother and in better condition than the roads in London!
Medina de Pomar
Medina de Pomar is another of the towns whose foundation as a settlement dates back to pre-Roman times, and whose modern history is connected to the period of repopulation, c.1,000 years ago. The town has been a useful stopping point on the journey from Laredo, on the coast, into the interior of the country. And we were using it in the same way. It was also one of the stopping points for Charles V on his final journey through Spain, from Laredo to the Monastery of Yuste, which we had visited the previous year.
Church of Santa Cruz
There are several churches in the town, and we rather stumbled across this one, where people were clearly preparing for some sort of celebration. The church is near the Alcazar and attached to the walls of the mediaeval town.
Alcazar de los Condestables
This striking building dates from the end of the 14th century.
Inside, the castle is arranged as a museum, with rooms displaying farming implements, a classroom, and mediaeval inhabitants amongst other exhibits.
The town is attractive and we enjoyed a stroll through the streets, and coffee, and then it was back to the road.
Medina de Pomar to Limpias
This half of the journey has wonderful scenery! And the N-629 takes you all the way to the Parador of Limpias on a very good road.
From a dog leg in the road the N629 had some surprises! The road was pretty, but then it suddenly opened up over a vast valley.
Finally we were out of the mountains, driving through a village or two, and coping with the rain. These mountains are filled with historic and interesting sights; in better weather it would be good to linger.
Despite the weather it has been a fabulous day, through beautiful scenery, on the road from Santo Domingo to Limpias.