Villafranca del Bierzo and Santiago de Compostela hold the XXVIII Edades del Hombre Exhibition, a cultural project with more than thirty years that started in Castilla y León and highlights the cultural wealth of the largest Spanish region.

The Way of St. James is not only a physical journey, but also a spiritual one. This route shows the human values of those who make a pilgrimage to the tomb of the Apostle, but also of the locals who offer its hand to those who have already walked hundreds of kilometres. It is an exaltation of the hospitality, the virtue of helping and taking the traveller in, of welcoming the stranger. That “hospitalitas” is the common thread of the new Las Edades del Hombre exhibition. In Villafranca del Bierzo and Santiago de Compostela it shows the evolution of an intrinsic value of the Way that has left a mark not only on the inhabitants of this region, but also on the hospitals and hostels for the pilgrims that walk to the West.

Villafranca del Bierzo is located at the beginning of the narrow valley that the Way of St. James crosses towards Galicia, where the plain gives way to high peaks and green slopes. Its origin is linked to the hospitality to pilgrims. In 1120, the Cluny monks who had come from France settled down in this town and founded the Priory of Santa Maria, a hostelry that was soon surrounded by several hospitals that looked after pilgrims.

The church of Santiago, a stony witness to the hospitality of the people of Villafranca, welcomes the visitors to the exhibition and introduces them into a world full of symbolism and spirituality. There you can find the fabulous “Puerta del Perdón” (Pardon Gate) where, throughout centuries, the sick pilgrims who were unable to reach Santiago were given the jubilee.

The exhibition continues in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, a monumental building renovated in the 16th century that accompanies travellers before they leave the town and go into the valley of the Valcarce River.

The modern Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo is only ten minutes from both temples. It offers wonderful views to enjoy savouring the genuine and renovated cuisine from El Bierzo, which is based on renowned products from this prolific region of León. Without any doubt, botillo is the most emblematic dish.

The menu of the Way

To commemorate this new edition of the Las Edades del Hombre exhibition, the Parador of Villafranca del Bierzo offers a special menu with typical dishes of the five regions traversed by The Way of St. James:

Snacks

Rabbit pie — Aragon

Soplao bread stuffed with seaweed and smocked scallop tartare — Galicia

Dishes

Roasted lamb roulade with grilled Tudela lettuce hearts — Navarra

Cod ajoarriero style — Castile and León

Dessert

Red wine poached pears — La Rioja

Drinks

Mineral water

Glass of white or red wine. Bierzo PDO.

Coffee or tea

From the Parador de Villafranca, this experience allows you to discover on foot the old town of Villafranca del Bierzo, its mysterious stories and its legends and old traditions.

Santiago de Compostela

The discovery of the tomb of the Apostle in the year 813 inaugurated a pilgrimage route that crosses Europe ever since. Every year, the city welcomes thousands of people that arrive before the cathedral gates and raise their eyes to the majestic Portico of Glory, which made Master Mateo immortal.

Under the portico, a unique crypt hosts the second part of the exhibition. Just a few metres from the cathedral you can find the Monastery of San Martín Pinario, one of the most representative buildings of the Baroque style in Galicia and where the exhibition Las Edades Del Hombre ends.

But if there is one monument that highlight the hospitality value in the Way of St. James it is the “Hostal dos Reis Católicos”. With a Plateresque façade, it was founded as “Royal Hospital” to receive and help pilgrims arriving in the city. Nowadays it is the Parador of Santiago de Compostela, an oasis of well-being with views over the Obradoiro square. It has the largest collection of Madrid School paintings in the Paradores Collection, with more than 140 works of artists such as Martínez Novillo, Álvaro Delgado or Menchu Gal. Also, as an exponent of the Galician cuisine, it has two differentiated gastronomic areas: Dos Reis Restaurant and Enxebre Restaurant. The first one promotes the quality of local products. The second one, more casual, honours the Galician tradition with flavour and authenticity.