STAGE 12 - BURGOS to HORNILLOS DEL CAMINO

 Today was a relatively short walk; about 14 miles. The cities along the way are sparse and the landscape mostly agricultural (as will be most of our walk across the "meseta central." Here are some of the things we saw and did...

Leaving Burgos you pass through this medieval gate called the Arco de San Martín.

Further along the way your cross the Arlanzón River again on this bridge. In this spot during the 13th century there was a small hospital dedicated to tending to the needs of pilgrims suffering from leprosy. These lepers were referred to as "malatos." The bridge came to be known as Puente de Malatos. Alfonso VIII is credited with constructing the original bridge in the 12th century. Over the centuries flooding has often damaged the structure leading to needed repairs. The worst known damage took place in 1900.

This is the Puente del Arzobispo (17th century). This bridge spans the Arlanzón River and leads to the town of Tardajos. Tardajos is a small unassuming town that boasts as one of its favorite sons is Mariano Diez Tobar who promoted cinematography...

The quote at the bottom reads, "The word is sound where the idea is born." Along the main street walls have been painted to recognize the greats of film...

As we continue our journey we come to the town of Rabé de la Calzada. Like many cities along the Camino, walls are decorated with inspirational paintings and quotes.

Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, and Gandi...

An a pilgrim contemplating the stars. It is a single panel...

And just a short distance away is this little Ermita de la Virgen de Monasterio. This little church corresponds to the Hijas de la Caridad (Daughters of Charity). I truly love this quiet little spot along the Camino. When you stop you are greeted by one of the nuns from the nearby convent who will ask you your name, touch your head (or in some cases take your hands in theirs) and pronounce a blessing on you. She will pray that you will have a safe journey and reach your destination healthy and strong. It is a beautiful moment. Then, after the blessing she hangs a small medallion with the image of the Virgen on it that is meant to remind the wearer to be strong, to think of Christ, and to care for others.

Here is Jannette with our special nun. Note that she is shorter than Jannette! This is an important observation given that during our conversation she told us that she spent 34 years in the Congo working with the less fortunate. Now, that tells me that she loves what she does, for whom she carries out her work, and in whose name she does it, even Christ.

The landscape is beautiful with rolling hills and field after field of grass that is eventually bailed and fed to the local livestock herds.

Below is Hornillos del Camino, our destination. It is very small with little to see or do. We have attended the pilgrim's mass in the local church. Sadly, there wasn't any mass while we were here.

There is a lovely little bridge that crosses the Hormazuela River as you enter the town. You know (or should realize from my posts) how much I love bridges! 

These are the ruins of a hospital for aiding pilgrims and, later, a benedictine monastery. In 1156, Alfonso VII donated this spot to the monks of San Dionisio de Paris. Later the monastery was established and supported by Nuestra Señora de Rocamador de Francia. 

Stage 13 is on the way.