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Convents & monasteries on Camino Frances

Eddiew

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino francais 2023
I am currently in Los Arcos on the Camino Frances and would to know of any places offering contemplative/retreat type opportunities on this route. Any information appreciated.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
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...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
I am currently in Los Arcos on the Camino Frances and would to know of any places offering contemplative/retreat type opportunities on this route. Any information appreciated.
Consider Albergue de la Santa Cruz in Sahagun. Associated with a monestary/ convent. They specifically reach out to pilgrims who wish to retreat for a few days. Beautiful people. I stayed a night there last year.
 
Consider Albergue de la Santa Cruz in Sahagun. Associated with a monestary/ convent. They specifically reach out to pilgrims who wish to retreat for a few days. Beautiful people. I stayed a night there last year.
The albergue that you mention does not allow anyone other than staff or volunteers to stay more than one night.

Staff and volunteers change from time to time and in my experience the warmth of the welcome can change with the people.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
The albergue that you mention does not allow anyone other than staff or volunteers to stay more than one night.

Staff and volunteers change from time to time and in my experience the warmth of the welcome can change with the people.
We stayed there two nights ago & there was a notice saying if you wanted to stay longer, have a word with them...
(edited to correct the predictive text)
 
In June this year I spent six nights in a silent retreat at Monasterio Santo Domingo de Silos which is not directly on the Camino Frances but is close to Burgos which is on the Frances.

Retreats at this famous monastery (all services are held in Gregorian chant) are only offered to males and they require you to pre-book. I think that the minimum stay is three nights but please double check this with them directly. There is probably also a maximum stay but I don't know what that is.

Leaving aside the services, which are all in chant, the monks only speak when required (for example to register you and point out safety procedures or to remind you not to speak) and never during meals. Depending on how many other people are on retreat with you, you will either eat separately (more than four others) or with the monks (three or less). If you eat separately from the monks then you are permitted to talk during your meal.

You are expected but not compelled to partake fully in the religious life of the monastery. If you read Spanish then this is the timetable that you will follow.
IMG_20230621_101452949.jpg
Only the monks work during the green periods, you are free to choose your own activity and you are permitted to leave the monastery to visit the town or the surrounding area (nice walking), however it is frowned upon to use the monastery as a base while spending most of your time exploring the surroundings.

You are on retreat and so expected to follow your own religious, spiritual or contemplative path while at the monastery. You are encouraged to be purposeful. If you attend the services and meals then you are expected to be strictly on time.

If you stay then you have access to almost all of the monastery including areas that are out of bounds for tourists and day trippers except for the library and the monks private rooms. It is possible to get access to the library if you can show a genuine need as a bona fide researcher.

Here are some photos showing my room, some behind the scenes areas and areas that are open to tourists.

IMG_20230621_110549458.jpg IMG_20230621_101952105_HDR.jpg
Room and private entrance.

IMG_20230621_111154022_HDR.jpg IMG_20230621_123546902.jpg IMG_20230621_123620710.jpg IMG_20230621_123737240_HDR.jpg IMG_20230621_125617629_HDR.jpg
Areas not generally available to tourists.

IMG_20230621_184357641_HDR.jpg IMG_20230621_174144105.jpg
Areas available to the general public.
 

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