Today you can either take the high and much shorter road through San Xil (17 kms) and enjoy the beautiful views from atop the ridge, or visit the ancient monastery of Samos along the river valley (25 kms), walking the stage from Triacastela to Sarria (via Samos).
You’ll have to choose one or the other, or maybe do both! By day, walk along the hills of San Xil and in the evening, catch a taxi to visit one of Spain’s oldest monasteries!
If you decide to go via San Xil, you don’t have to miss visiting Samos. Later that evening, refer to your Fresco Tours maps to call our favorite taxi services and explore the famous Royal Benedictine Monastery of San Julián de Samos. This structure dates back to the 6th century, making it one of the oldest monastic complexes in Spain. Over the centuries, it has been reconstructed and expanded, resulting in a unique architectural blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles.
For pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, the Monastery of Samos holds a special significance, having traditionally offered hospitality to weary travelers, providing them with food, shelter, and guidance.
