Well, we are tourists and so there must be some sightseeing in Santo Domingo de La Calzada!
Pilgrims
There was a steady flow of pilgrims through the town, and one or two stayed in the Parador. The busy months are apparently April and September, and something like 300,000 pilgrims arrive in Santiago de Compostela each year. Santo Domingo is on the French route.
Plaza de la Alameda
This 16th century square is on the camino, and just a few minutes away from the Parador, and the cafe on the camino was always busy, day and night. “Alameda’ means a tree-lined public walk in Spanish, and that is what this is. The oak trees remind us that this area was once heavily forested, and Santo Domingo roused public ire when he cut down trees, with his little scythe, to build the monastery. The mural on the square, painted by a local artist, Arturo Bustillo, commemorates these stories.
The water fountain was built at the end of the 1700s and supplied the residents with water from the Fuente de los Mártires, near Gallinero.
At the other end of the square was ‘our’ cafe. Here two cups of coffee cost us €3 – £2.50!
Paseo del Espolon
This wide walk is alongside the old walls, on the outside. It is lined with London plane trees, and under the trees are numerous cafes. Clearly a very popular area for morning coffee and evening drinks!
Walking in the streets
And then you can wander up and down the streets, and notice the shop windows with lots of goodies to eat – we bought our first, large pot of honey here!
And interesting buildings: Casa de Lorenzo de Tejada, Casa de Los Ocio, and the Carmelite Convent.
Nighttime
Dinner is late in Spain – 8.30pm doors open, and so you need a little walk before going to bed.
The Calle Pinar is always busy, as are the cafes, although the Plaza de Espana tended to be quiet most of the time, and the spire of the Cathedral was quietly attractive between the Parador Square and the Espana.
And so to bed!
I would love to hear from you!