Camino Francés: Stage 16

You will leave Frómista and walk to the P-980, you will walk through it road almost all its route. After crossing two roundabouts you will be walking through a path parallel to the road that will lead you to the first village: Población de Campos.

This small village has some beautiful shrines and churches, specially Saint Miguel’s, which is placed on an idyllic spot. We will walk along the main street where we can find different establishments where to eat or sleep, continuing then our route crossing Ucieza river through the bridge. Here, before crossing the river and next to Socorro’s shrine, there is an alternative route through Villovieco, where you can visit Saint Mary’s church of the 16th Century. This diversion leads to the original way after crossing a bridge over Ucieza river and taking a path to the right, in Villarmentero de Campos.

The ones that decide not to take the turn away will continue after crossing the bridge, through a path parallel to the P-980 to Revenga de Campos. You will cross the village where the Baroque Iglesia de San Lorenzo church is located. Then you will return to the path that goes parallel to the road. After four kilometers you will see a signposting that will indicate you to turn right to Villalcázar de Sirga, where the Santa María la Blanca church is located. This temple has a façade from the 13 century and inside it has polychrome sepulchers. Alfonso X of Castile (the Wise) took inspiration from this temple declared Heritage of Cultural Interest to write twelve of its Cantigas de Santa María (medieval poems set to music).

Then you will leave this village through the path that goes parallel to the P-980. You will walk the last five kilometres to Carrión de los Condes through this path. Carrión de los Condes was one of the most important villages in the Early Mddle Ages Christianity. You will visit the Iglesia de Santa María del Camino church that was built devoted to the Virgen de las Victorias virgin. History says that some bulls freed some village maidens who were retained before being given as an offering to the Moorish kings.

Bear in mind

After the difficulties found on early stages, pilgrims with reduced mobility won’t find this time any bump on the road. This stage can be fulfilled by cyclists in about two hours thanks to be a short and easy path with barely difficulties on the way.