Camino Photo of the Day: Castle on a Hill

Well, the ruins of a castle, anyway. Upon the hill to the left stand the ruins of the Castillo de Sarracín. Despite the similarity of names, the castle has nothing to do with the Saracens, except perhaps that the Moors destroyed the original Christian castle on this site in the year 714. It was rebuilt by (or possibly for) a Christian Prince named Sarracino Gatónez, lord of Sarracín, count of Bierzo and Astorga in the ninth century and named for him. It was expanded – rebuilt, really – in the 14th century. The centuries since haven’t been kind, however.

Date: 25 April 2013
Place: leaving Vega de Valcarce (Region of El Bierzo, Province of León, Castilla y León, Spain)
Today started: Vega de Valcarce (Region of El Bierzo, Province of León, Castilla y León, Spain)