Today we walk from Santo Domingo to Villamayor, leaving La Rioja at Redecilla del Camino and crossing into the Province of Burgos and the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León.
Don’t forget to take a photo at the marker indicating the border between the two regions. We are entering into the breadbasket of Spain, thus, we start to notice the change in terrain with its flat plateaus or mesetas and many wheat fields. We come to Castildelgado, home of the 12th century Church of San Pedro, and continue on to Viloria de la Rioja, the birthplace of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic). We end the day in Villamayor del Rio and head to our hotel for some rest.
On route we’ll have a chance to enjoy another gourmet picnic lunch prepared by your guides.
Saint Dominic
Saint Dominic of the Camino, known as Santo Domingo de la Calzada in Spanish, dedicated his life to aiding pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino de Santiago. He was born in the village of Viloria de la Rioja, which is actually in Castile, in the late 11th century. He is best known for serving pilgrims and travelers as they made their ways through this part of northern Spain. After a life of dedicated service, he passed away in the town (named after him) of Santo Domingo de la Calzada in 1109.
Inspired by his faith and a desire to ease the hardships faced by pilgrims, Dominic dedicated his to improve the infrastructure of the route. He devoted himself to constructing roads, bridges, and hostels, known as “hospitales,” providing shelter and sustenance to weary travelers. His efforts earned him the title of “de la Calzada,” meaning “of the road.”
One of the most enduring legends associated with Saint Dominic involves a miraculous intervention to save the life of an innocent pilgrim who had been wrongly hanged. This event solidified Dominic’s reputation as a protector and benefactor of pilgrims.
