Bendueños on the Salvador

[peregrina2000]

If you type “Bendueños” in the search button, you will get posts that contain nothing but over the top enthusiastic reports of the donativo Bendueños albergue, about 1.5 km off route and up a hill, but oh so worth the short detour. It’s located in the priest’s house, run by Sandra, and in a setting with amazing views out over the valley. I should keep a running tally of the number of pilgrims who say it was their most wonderful albergue stay of any on any camino.

This recent news report (which comes with a nice little video) tells a story that I didn’t know about the town. The Virgen de Bendueños, which is inside the church, was not discovered in Bendueños, but down the hill near a fountain in another location. The people of Campomanes wanted to take it to their church, but no matter how many oxen they brought, they couldn’t move the statue. But the people of Bendueños came down, lifted it up easily, and brought it to their village church, where it has been ever since.

Leyendas y secretos de un pueblo de larga tradición hospitalaria

Balcón privilegiado. Situada sobre el valle del Huerna, Bendueños y su santuario son paso obligado de peregrinos desde la Edad Media. Hoy sus vecinos reciben de buen gra

www.elcomercio.es

 

[Walli Walker]

Thank you, Peregrina, I’m sitting in Benduenos right now as I read your post. X

 

[BombayBill]

Perhaps @peregrina2000 can verify this as my Spanish is weak but it appears this Albergue may be closed due to water shortages.

See https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/cuencas/cierre-albergue-benduenos-lena-sin-agua-20220814200315-nt.html?fbclid=IwAR2Q4KYt-WjoYatyF9QSaVRbqFraq1mUoXRwGcCo_TOQUkI74eGGgpGsK3w&ref=http://m.facebook.com/

 

[peregrina2000]

Yes I have seen that report in several places. When it was first announced, there were assurances that it would be fixed quickly, but it may be a while. Pilgrims should be able to get up to date news on Gronze, from Albergues along the way not Facebook. Keep us posted if you see updates.

 

[rojasa]

Bendueños update: this morning Sandra confirmed the issue with Bendueños is indeed a lack of water. The local community's water source has apparently run into problems. The community has enacted a plan that will begin next week to source water. Sandra cannot say when the project will be completed but thought it would be the end of September. If there is any revision to that schedule, she'll send a note. @peregrina2000 is correct: check back with Gronze and other albergues as well as Sandra herself toward the end of the month. Sounds like she will be busy getting her own drinking water until then...for those of us who pray, perhaps we can petition la Virgen de Bendueños for help in this matter . Buen camino!