Villafranca del Bierzo

Villafranca del Bierzo is a town located in the province of León in the Castile-León region in Spain. It is situated between two rivers, the Burbia and the Valcarce, and is on the west end of the Bierzo basin. By the 12 century, because of its location, Villafranca attracted many merchants and pilgrims from France, Italy, England, and Germany as well as Catalán, Jewish, Flemish, Portuguese, and Scandinavian people. In the 15^th century, documents from that time period say that Villafranca became a very urban area. These documents say that there were urban related problems such as crime and that there were also many poor people living on the streets. Everyone was considered a peasant and as such, they sold their wares in doorways of their houses because of the lack of money. Between the 12^th-15^th centuries, the Osorio family ruled Villafranca. In 1486, the Catholic Monarchs put in place the Marquesado de Villafranca. The second Marqués, Pedro Alvarez de Toledo who had served Spain many years as viceroy, built a castle in Villafranca. The development of the town had many setbacks such as the Plaque in 1589, floods in 1715, and warring nations using Villafranca during warring times in the early 1800s. Villafranca at one time was the capital of the province of Bierzo for two years. Today, Villafranca still holds its late medieval and Renaissance or “old town” feel especially along the Calle de Agua and the narrow streets that run parallel to the river.

The importance of Villafranca del Bierzo in relation to the pilgrimage is that it is a resting place for pilgrims. Pilgrims who have fallen ill or are injured are able to stay at Villafranca at hospices to get treatment and to rest themselves. One of the major places in Villafranca is Iglesia de Santiago. Iglesia de Santiago is a church that allows pilgrims who are unable to continue to Santiago de Compestela to go through the rituals and ceremonies that would have been performed at Santiago had they made it there. In other words, these pilgrims are able to be in the same ceremonies as the pilgrims who make it all the way to Santiago without actually having to journey to Santiago because of their illness or disability.

Important monuments in Villafranca del Bierzo include the Iglesia de Santiago as mentioned earlier, Iglesia de San Francisco, Iglesia de San Nicolás, Igelsia de Santa María de Cluniaco, Convento de las Franicanas reformadas, Calle de Agua, and Castillo. Because Villafranca is served as a resting area, there are many hospices located throughout the town. Some were for specific pilgrims only such the San Lázaro of the 11^th century which was used for pilgrims with leprosy while some were for everyone such as Colegio de la Divina Pastora. 

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 This is the cathedral of San Nicolas in Villafranca del Bierzo. 

This is the church of Santiago in Villafranca. The Camino goes literally right by the church on its way through town.

This is the church of San Francisco which was located about two or three blocks away from our hotel.

For more pictures and info about Villafranca del Bierzo, check out this virtual tour and website.

http://www.villafrancadelbierzo.org/hosteleria/virtual_english/
This virtual tour actually goes inside the churches and the castle. Check it out!
http://www.villafrancadelbierzo.org/

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Relection by Ashley 

                 Although we stayed in Villafranca, one of the down falls was the fact that all of the churches were closed and shut down. For some reason, all of the churches except for one during Mass are closed for the time being. It's sad because then we don't get to see what the pilgrims before us get to see and it kind of takes away from the pilgrimage a little bit. Granted, there are many churches along the route that pilgrims get to go to, however, by missing out on these churches, pilgrims might not see a need to go this route and eventually leads to other towns as well as this one being wiped off the map of travel.
                 This town is one of my personal favorite towns because it provides a warm comfortable community. The atmosphere of the town is one of welcome. Even waitresses can be extremely welcoming. Our waitress that night was very kind to us. She treated us like we were family and I think that was why I liked this town so much because it is like a family in a sense. Everyone helps everyone else and they look out for each other. Plus, how many waitresses do you know who would invite you back into their home to cook for you? Yeah, she was great.
                 Anyways, like I said, this town is one of my favorites and I hope that you get that feeling of homeliness too.

Buen Camino, Amigos!
Ashley