Pilgrims on the Way

This haunting statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, found in the Museo de los Caminos in Astorga, seems to be urgently calling us to contemplate the Four Last Things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Memento mori. Date: 20 April 2016 Place: Astorga (Castilla y León, Spain)

This wonderful medieval processional crucifix may be found in the Museo de los Caminos in Astorga. While I am sad that it is no longer in use, the museum was positively full of pieces like this, as is the cathedral museum next door, so it’s not like the cathedral is going wanting for choice. Date: 20 April 2016 Place: Astorga […]

Carrying on from yesterday’s feast of Candlemas, here’s a marvelous depiction of the Presentation of the Christ Child in the Temple, found in the Museo de los Caminos in Astorga. I kind of wish I had found this image yesterday! Date: 20 April 2016 Place: Astorga (Castilla y León, Spain)

In the basement of the Museo de los Caminos – which I prefer to think of as the crypt – are a number of medieval sarcophagi originally from the Cathedral next door. I believe that the dearly departed were placed in new carved tombs during the Renaissance, probably because of damage to their original resting places. On the side of […]

As a home, the Astorga Episcopal Palace that Gaudí designed makes a great museum. Just walking through, you can see why the Bishop decided not to live here. It’s grand, but not in a comfortable way. As a museum dedicated to the Camino, however, it’s perfect. Date: 20 April 2016 Place: Astorga (Castilla y León, Spain)

The first thing one sees in the Museo de los Caminos is unsurprisingly a statue of Santiago himself, in his guise as a medieval pilgrim. He seemingly guards the entrance to the galleries beyond. I can’t decide if this statue is from the Gothic era or is a medieval statue gussied up with a Gothic paint job. Date: 20 April […]

We plunked down our money to enter the Museo de los Caminos, housed in Gaudí’s Episcopal Palace. In the garden outside the entrance we ran into a trio of angels carrying various items for the Bishop. Oddly, they do not seem to be wearing vimpae. Date: 20 April 2016 Place: Astorga (Castilla y León, Spain)

Astorga’s Episcopal Palace was designed by Antoni Gaudí as a complement to the nearby Gothic Cathedral. It’s ostensibly built in the Gothic style, but with a twist. When it was finally finished, the Bishop thought it was much too grand for a house, and it became a museum instead. Our albergue is basically down the street. Date: 20 April 2016 […]

We joke that every village plaza contains three things: the church, the bar/café, and town hall. In the larger towns, such as Astorga, with its many plazas, you’ll have to hunt around for the third of these. This is Astorga’s beautiful town hall (Ayuntamiento de Astorga) on Plaza Mayor. They started building it in 1683, but as you walk around […]

I think this is the place where we grabbed a quick, late lunch in Astorga, but I’m not entirely sure. More of an afternoon nosh, actually, since this photo was taken about 3:30 p.m. In any case, this plaza is typical of the urban plazas we found in northern Spain. I really love the way these old towns are laid […]