Walking the Camino de Santiago
Once across the bridge and into Logroño, the Camino takes a sudden right turn down this narrow street, Calle Ruavieja. The name itself, of course, comes from rúa vieja, “the old road”, which will probably give you some idea of the antiquity of the street. Most of the buildings are, if not quite modern, let us at least say “not […]
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This was our first view of the old city center of Logroño. The town was founded by the Romans as Varea, probably in the early first century, though the area was probably inhabited during the Iron Age. It prospered during the Medieval Era, before becoming a point of contention between the Kingdoms of Navarra and Castile, often involving siege engines. […]
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Many regions and cities have their own unique ways of marking the camino. Logroño’s is one of my favourites. You will see this arrow and shell tile set into the sidewalks in the city and surrounding suburbs, marking out the route. You just have to remember to keep glancing down! Date: 07 April 2013Place: approaching Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: […]
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Every pilgrim carries a credencial – a pilgrim’s passport – which must be stamped twice a day during your walk. This is to verify both to albergues and to the Cathedral in Santiago that you are a legitimate pilgrim. Usually, you get these stamps at albergues, churches, or bars. Some folks like this enterprising woman have set up snack or […]
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You will see these little monuments all over the Camino. I’m not talking about the random plinth – though those are everywhere as well – but rather of the abandoned footwear. I’m not really sure how this happens. Shoes blowing out is common enough; I had to replace mine in León. But who, having replaced their shoes, thinks to carry […]
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Camino graffiti continues to provide the best advice. Particularly on this long, windy day. Date: 07 April 2013Place: approaching Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Los Arcos Maps!
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After a short bit of highway walking, we leave the Kingdom of Navarra behind and enter the region of La Rioja. Well, sort of. Until the 20th century, La Rioja was actually part of Navarra, and Navarra’s medieval kings are buried here. I’m sure there’s some modern political reason why these regions were separated, but in my heart La Rioja […]
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The Camino crosses various highways during its long run across Spain. While most of these are through passages underneath, this is a rare example of a bridge, which in this case crosses over N-111 highway near the city of Logroño, which you can see in the background. Date: 07 April 2013Place: approaching Logroño (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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The isolation of quarantine has been wearing on me the past few days, particularly since Easter, and particularly when I see photos like this from the Camino. As a result, my posting has been sporadic. How I long to return to Navarra and La Rioja! To walk the long kilometers of the meseta. To bask in the friendship of those […]
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In 2013 and 2016, I began my Caminos with a flight to Madrid on Easter Sunday. In the best of worlds, we would be flying to Spain today, right now perhaps. Or Tuesday at the latest. But we are not. The Camino is closed down. Indeed, most of the world is closed down at this point thanks to the Coronavirus. […]
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