What is the Via de la Plata?

 The Via de la Plata, also known as the Camino Mozárabe, spans Spain from South to North and is the longest Camino route at over 1000 km. Originally a Roman trade route connecting northern and southern Spain, it later became a pilgrimage path under Moorish rule, used by North African Christians travelling to Santiago de Compostela.

The route largely follows the ancient Roman road, with archaeological evidence found along the way. Remarkably, some sections of these roads have remained untouched by modern development.

During the Roman Empire, the Via de la Plata transported gold and copper from the vast mines of Las Médulas and Rio Tinto. Walking this route today feels like stepping back in time!

The Via de la Plata is highly recommended for those seeking an authentic Camino experience. Despite its rich history and breathtaking beauty, it remains less well-known than other popular routes, offering a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in true Galician culture. Along this hidden gem, we’ll have the chance to interact with locals, savor traditional dishes, and marvel at the untouched natural landscapes, making our journey truly memorable.










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Here We Go Again!

Image
     Saturday, March 29th, David and I will be flying into London and taking a connecting flight to  Madrid then taking a train to Sevilla, Spain.   It will be a long day, but we are excited to begin our 2nd pilgrimage on the Camino.  Last year, we walked the Camino de Santiago Frances (800km=500miles) which is the most popular route.  In less than a week,  we will be walking the Via de la Plata Camino which is less traveled.  It begins in Sevilla and it's the longest Camino at 1000km (648 miles).  It's more historical than the others, and there will be little to no towns/villages between our destinations.  We will not be stopping for our daily cappuccino or cafe con leche along with a nice lunch.  For the most part, we will be packing our lunch and eating in a field, vineyard, under a tree or on a dirt trail.  Some of our walks will be LONG...20+ miles, so we are hoping and praying our feet and backs hold out.  ...
Read more

VdlP day 8

Image
 Villafranca de los Barrios to Torremejia  Another good day on the Camino!  The trail was long, but we made it to our Albergue around 3:30.  We asked our host where we could find a place to eat, he said it was too late, but drove us to his friend’s restaurant and asked him if we could eat there and he said yes!  It was delicious!  The problem is, if we don’t eat before 3:30 we’ll have to wait until 8pm 😩  Kitchens close and only drinks are served at some 🤷🏻‍♀️  We are usually in bed by 9 bc we have to get up early and start walking.  Spaniards are so kind and friendly.  If we ask for directions, they will take us there.  If they see us looking confused, they will stop and ask if we need help.  They almost always acknowledge us when we pass 😊  They wave at us as they drive by…even the farmers on their tractors 🚜   Now a few words from David… I wanted to say a few words about the countryside which we’ve been walkin...
Read more

VdlP Day 4

Image
 Almaden de la Plata to Monsterio Today, a weather advisory was issued for Pilgrims walking the Camino…thunderstorms all day, but we decided to walk anyway 🤦🏻‍♀️☔️⛈️  Wow!!!  Thunderstorms, lightning, hail and high winds!  We purchased two huge umbrellas thinking it would help us today…it helped until a gust of wind broke them 🤷🏻‍♀️  Then there was lightning, so we had to put them away.  We left Almaden early all decked out in our rain gear…problem was nothing could protect us from the elements!  The temps were in the high 30’s and while our fingers and toes were numb from the cold our torsos were sweating under our fleece and rain gear.  We walked through thick mud and high water 💦 It was a steady climb up to Monsterio, so when we arrived the entrance to the town was flooded!  We looked around and there was no other option, but to go through the high water 😩  To our delight, a Spanish man came by and offered to drive us to our Alb...
Read more