Today’s stage will take you from Melide to Boente to Arzúa. In the morning you will depart from the town of Melide, which houses Galicia’s oldest cruceiro from the 14th century, though it is still intact! Melide’s best-known monument is the church of Sancti Spiritus, better known as la iglesia (the church) by the locals. The church was once part of a much larger convent complex dating from the 14th century and tradition believes that it was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi on his way back from Santiago. You will be standing where Santiago would have received orders from above to go to Hispania (Spain) to convert the pagans.
Along the Way you will come across what used to be an important pilgrim stop, Sanctus Iacobus de Boento that Aymeric Picaurd mentions in his Códex Calixtinus. However, nothing remains of the church today. In its place sits a quaint, renovated 19th century church that honors an iconic Santiago pilgrim at its altar.
Before you finish walking for the day you will cross the last Medieval/Roman bridge on the Camino to Ribadiso da Baixo. The view across the river Iso is stunning in its serenity and peacefulness and is definitely one of the favorite places for current pilgrims on the Camino.
Your journey today ends in Arzúa. Though the town may date back to Roman times, it is because of the Camino that Arzúa is put on the map in the 11th century when pilgrims were attended to at the hospice in Ribadiso da Baixo or at the Magdalene convent in town.
If you are need of local restaurant recommendations there are plenty to be found in your Fresco Tours maps. Be sure to sample more traditional food and maybe grab a glass of wine with the fellow pilgrims on your journey.
