Camino Photo of the Day: Puente del Paso Honroso

We got off the bus in the town of Hospital de Órbigo, just as we had in 2013. The town, named for a pilgrim hostal once maintained by the Knights Hospitaller¹, exists primarily because of this strategic bridge. This bridge was the site of an amazing and romantic tale. For a month during the summer of 1434, the Leonese knight Suero de Quiñones challenged every knight who wished to cross the bridge to a joust.

Given that this was the Camino in summer at the height of its popularity, that’s a lot of knights. He swore he would not stop until he broke 300 lances. After 166 victories in 30 days, he was at last wounded, though he bested his opponent. At this point, the Constable of Castille commanded him to stop. Suero de Quiñones reluctantly complied with the Constable’s order and entered into legend.

Date: 20 April 2016
Place: Hospital de Órbigo (Castilla y León, Spain)

1. Still existing today, and now known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.