Walking the Camino de Santiago
This is perhaps one of the most famous bits of graffiti to be found on the whole of the Camino de Santiago. It’s located at the end of a short tunnel where the Camino passes under the N-111 highway just after Viana. I don’t know how long it’s been there, but I’ve seen photos taken this year that show it’s […]
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We bid farewell to San Pedro and walk through the old town to make our escape. Note the statue in the old city gates. Ahead lies the rolling hills of Navarra, giving way at eventually to the rolling hills of La Rioja. Date: 07 April 2013Place: Viana (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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And here’s the outside view of San Pedro. You can kind of see that it’s right in the center of the old town of Viana, despite being part of the town defenses in the Medieval era. There’s something haunting about this place, and both times I’ve been in Viana, I spent quite some time wandering about these ruins before pressing […]
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In the 13th century, San Pedro was the first church built within the town walls of Viana. Well, I say “within” but “part of” might be closer to the truth. The fortress-like church formed part of the defenses of the city, and its tower was a major lookout for the town. In the 18th century, it was seized by an […]
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Fifteen minutes later, we were standing in front of Florida. We found this hilarious, as Patrick (pictured here) is from Florida. Clearly we were a feeling a little punchy. This photo was taken seven years ago today. Seems like forever ago, and just yesterday. Date: 07 April 2013Place: Viana (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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We found our Camino family eating lunch in the plaza next to the Iglesia de Santa María de Viana. Patrick and I joined them, grabbing food from one of several nearby cafés and shops and picnicking in the cold Plaza los Fueros with our friends. This photo is taken from the same spot that yesterday’s photo was taken, just facing […]
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This is, I presume, the outside door to the sacristy of the Iglesia de Santa María de Viana. In any case, it’s in about the correct position to be, and it faces our picnic spot on the plaza. I just love the patterns made using the river stones on the porch before the door. Date: 07 April 2013Place: Viana (Navarra, […]
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Stymied and denied entry to the Iglesia de Santa María de Viana, I at least took some photos of the outside as Patrick and I tried to figure out what to do next. To our surprise, much of the rest of our Camino family was across the plaza eating lunch! We joined them, grabbing food from one of several cafés […]
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Yesterday I told the story of the death of Cesare Borgia. This is the façade of the Iglesia de Santa María de Viana where he is buried. We arrived just as Mass was letting out. Shortly after this photo was taken, Patrick and I went up to the open doors of the church to look for the tomb and to […]
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Welcome to Viana! The town continues to be proud of its largest claim to fame: it was here that the infamous Cesare Borgia met his doom. Imprisoned in Spain by his “uncle’s” successor as Pope, Cesare escaped and became a mercenary captain for his brother-in-law, King Juan III of Navarre, who was dealing with a civil war. During the siege […]
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