CAMINO FRANCÉS FROM BURGOS TO LEÓN
The Camino Francés from Burgos to León is a bridge between two of the main cities of the Jacobean route. The cathedrals of Burgos and León are both landmarks of Spanish religious architecture.
Our starting point, Burgos.
The Cathedral of Santa María de Burgos, declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the masterpieces of Spanish Gothic. Like the one in Santiago, it was built on top of an earlier Romanesque building.
Burgos was also the medieval capital of the Kingdom of Castilla y León for five centuries, which gives us an idea of its historical importance. Of course, on the first day of our trip, we can take the opportunity to toast with a good wine from the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin.
Our tour.
In general, the French way from Burgos to León is a fairly convenient route due to its few slopes. We’ll only find a couple of heights, although climatic difficulties need to be considered. We are in the middle of the Castilian plateau, with low temperatures in winter and especially very hot in summer, which is why it is advisable to prepare for it.
During the fifth stage of the tour we will have the opportunity to visit the monument to the innkeeper in Villalcázar de Sirga, who was a very important figure in the restoration of the Camino and Jacobean gastronomy. In the sixth stage we can also walk part of the old Via Aquitania, the Roman road that connected Astorga with Bordeaux.
León, a city with Jacobean tradition.
Once in León, our last stop on this French route from Burgos to León is a visit to the cathedral known as “Pulchra Leonina”, a magnificent Gothic building. We also shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Gaud’s Casa Botines and the San Marcos Hospital, which was a pilgrims’ home. More than recommended is a stroll through the historic center and a stop in the Barrio del Húmedo. After eleven days of walking, we deserve to celebrate the end of the Camino with a good homage to the region’s gastronomy.
The arrival in León is not the end, but a break on the Camino that we must continue until we reach Santiago de Compostela.
¡BUEN CAMINO!