After our delicious breakfast, we set off from our hotel. Our destination today is the town of Astorga. On the way, we pass through the historic village of Hospital de Orbigo with its stunning medieval bridge. This small town is loaded with history, as the old Roman road connecting Asturica Augusta (Astorga) and Legio (Leon) passed through here. The bridge that crosses the River Órbigo is best known as the Paso Honroso, where in the 15th century the knight Don Suero de Quiñones defeated three hundred knights in a jousting competition before going on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
By the river, the knights of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem founded a medieval hospital to care for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. This historical building gave the name to the village that grew around it, Hospital de Órbigo, and pilgrims continue to pass through on their way to Santiago. What a perfect break for our first day of cycling!
The monumental Astorga meets us at the end of the today’s stage. Its Roman walls, impressive cathedral and Gaudi’s Bishops’ Palace will amaze us as we make our way through the old town.
Although most people travel to Barcelona to admire the work of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, here in Astorga, we can also find one of his creations: The Bishops’ Palace. As a matter of fact, the Catalan was only the first of its architects. In 1886, when the former Bishops’ Palace burst into flames, the Bishop of Astorga, who was also Catalan, made Antoni Gaudí the architect for the new one. Its construction began in 1889 and was planned to be finished by 1894. However, in 1893, the Bishop died and Gaudí resigned due to disagreements with the local diocese. It was then when the new architect, Ricardo García Guereta, took over and finally completed the construction in 1913.
Regardless of who takes credit for it, do not miss the chance to visit Astorga’s Bishops’ Palace. It is the perfect excuse to stretch our legs before a well-deserved dinner of local fare.
