Camino Photo of the Day: Ermita de la Virgen del Río

Eventually, the Camino takes its leave of the Río Ucieza. As you strike “inland”, this building dominates the area. Although the current building dates to the 18th century, it was built over the remains of older churches from the 13th and 16th centuries. The oldest structure, parts of which are still apparently standing as part of the sacristy, belong to a hermitage or small monastery destroyed by the Saracens. Legend has it that one summer day in the 12th century, the Río Ucieza overflowed, destroying everything in its path. Everything, that is, except for a statue of the Virgin, which somehow managed to float upstream to a place near this spot. I hope some day to visit the interior, as it is reportedly beautiful.

Date: 15 April 2013
Place: between Villovieco and Villalcázar de Sirga (Province of Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain)
Today started: Itero de la Vega (Province of Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain)