Castromaior

[Anniesantiago]

I was just updating my blog, and ran across these photos. I wonder how many of you who have walked the Camino Frances have taken the time to walk the turnoff to Castromaior?

As you walked toward Palas de Rei from Portomarin, you will come across the archaeological site. Here is what the internet says about this ancient Celtic site.

This partially-excavated hill fortification lies beside the Way of St James and is believed to have been occupied up until approximately the 1st century. It stands an a small knoll offering a panoramic view of the Miño's right bank; however, as this was not rough terrain, a number of defensive elements had to be constructed, giving this settlement its unique character.
An intricate system of ditches, walls, embankments and palisades surrounded the access to the village of houses with straight, regular walls, grouped into neighborhoods. An interpretive center and museum is eventually planned for the site.

I promise, it's worth a stop!


I wonder

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

and it's only 5 minutes from the Camino, with lots of signage so you can't get lost and you don't have to backtrack to get back on the Camino!
agree 100% well worth the short detour

 

[Darby67]

I bypassed it my first year as I was completely soaked and just wanted to continue trudging toward the Xunta in Hospital. Early this year I made the ever so slight detour and wandered about the site for about 30 minutes. Well worth it!

 

[VNwalking]

Missed it. Twice.
Thank you, Annie. If there's ever a next time on that part of the Frances I won't miss it again.
On the Invierno there are at least 3 castros close to the camino - one of which (in Fion) overlooks the Miño just downriver of his one.

 

[C clearly]

I promise, it's worth a stop!

I completely agree. I also passed on by, the first time, but another year, I checked it out. As stated, it is very close to the camino and very much worth the short detour. However, I hope too many people don't trample the site - I felt almost guilty to be walking around in such a good archaeological site.

 

[Darby67]

However, I hope too many people don't trample the site - I felt almost guilty to be walking around in such a good archaeological site.

Similar thoughts sort of passed through my head. In a way I felt kind of grateful it wasn't on the actual path and I was comforted to not see any graffiti.

 

[Mary Doll]

My friend and I visited this site last year. As you say well worth a visit and we were the only two there.

 

[islandwalker]

I was just updating my blog, and ran across these photos. I wonder how many of you who have walked the Camino Frances have taken the time to walk the turnoff to Castromaior?

Thanks for posting this! We might have missed it otherwise, but will be to look out for it when we pass that way in a few weeks.

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Missed it. Is it before or after Donas de Vilar, which is a very worthwhile side trip?

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks for posting this! We might have missed it otherwise, but will be to look out for it when we pass that way in a few weeks.

You will see signs and an info board on the LEFT side of the path. I believe it's between Gonzar and Hospital. You can see it on Brierley's Stage 30 map (on mine anyway). It is a GREAT place for a picnic and rest. To get back to the trail, you don't have to backtrack. You can just keep going alongside the ruins and will eventually come again to a short trail to the right, back to the Camino.

 

[lt56ny]

I was just updating my blog, and ran across these photos. I wonder how many of you who have walked the Camino Frances have taken the time to walk the turnoff to Castromaior?

As you walked toward Palas de Rei from Portomarin, you will come across the archaeological site. Here is what the internet says about this ancient Celtic site.

This partially-excavated hill fortification lies beside the Way of St James and is believed to have been occupied up until approximately the 1st century. It stands an a small knoll offering a panoramic view of the Miño's right bank; however, as this was not rough terrain, a number of defensive elements had to be constructed, giving this settlement its unique character.
An intricate system of ditches, walls, embankments and palisades surrounded the access to the village of houses with straight, regular walls, grouped into neighborhoods. An interpretive center and museum is eventually planned for the site.

I promise, it's worth a stop!


I View attachment 64560wonder

You sure know the Camino Annie, thanks! I will try to check this out in November.

 

[lt56ny]

You will see signs and an info board on the LEFT side of the path. I believe it's between Gonzar and Hospital. You can see it on Brierley's Stage 30 map (on mine anyway). It is a GREAT place for a picnic and rest. To get back to the trail, you don't have to backtrack. You can just keep going alongside the ruins and will eventually come again to a short trail to the right, back to the Camino.

I just checked Brierley maps that I have on my Kindle. It is stage 30 and it is the location you said. In fact it clearly shows the location on his map.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

It's also shown on Google Maps where it is possible to get a 3D view that includes a pair of legs with no body casting a full body's shadow.

Castro de Castromaior
27188 Castromaior, Lugo, Spain
maps.app.goo.gl/kjbRqHSWHpDk9jp46

Castro de Castromaior · Lugar Castromaior, 8D, 27188 Castromaior, Lugo, Spain

★★★★★ · Historical landmark

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Anniesantiago]

It's also shown on Google Maps where it is possible to get a 3D view that includes a pair of legs with no body casting a full body's shadow.

Castro de Castromaior
27188 Castromaior, Lugo, Spain
maps.app.goo.gl/kjbRqHSWHpDk9jp46

Castro de Castromaior · Lugar Castromaior, 8D, 27188 Castromaior, Lugo, Spain

★★★★★ · Historical landmark

maps.app.goo.gl

whoah!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

whoah!

Now that you know the place is haunted do you still want to send living people there?

 

[rappahannock_rev]

I vividly remember walking past it it on my last Frances, pausing and asking myself "Should I?", and then deciding "Nope!".... I was just too eager to keep on keeping on.... Have regretted that ever since..... Surely worth a look.

That said, I suspect that what is visible today is entirely the result of modern excavation; and that no medieval Camino pilgrim would have known of it or paid it any attention.

 

[C clearly]

Shhhhh! Please, everyone, don't go there.

 

[Geoff Shepherd]

I was tger

I was just updating my blog, and ran across these photos. I wonder how many of you who have walked the Camino Frances have taken the time to walk the turnoff to Castromaior?

As you walked toward Palas de Rei from Portomarin, you will come across the archaeological site. Here is what the internet says about this ancient Celtic site.

This partially-excavated hill fortification lies beside the Way of St James and is believed to have been occupied up until approximately the 1st century. It stands an a small knoll offering a panoramic view of the Miño's right bank; however, as this was not rough terrain, a number of defensive elements had to be constructed, giving this settlement its unique character.
An intricate system of ditches, walls, embankments and palisades surrounded the access to the village of houses with straight, regular walls, grouped into neighborhoods. An interpretive center and museum is eventually planned for the site.

I promise, it's worth a stop!


I View attachment 64560wonder

I was there today - and last year too - it is still in great shape and well worth the very small detour. Most of the tour groups on this section just walk past it - even those with guides. In Ventas de Nardon tonight.

 

[kiwi-couple]

My husband and I were there earlier this year. We were there in the first light of the day and mist was swirling around ...so worth seeing and experiencing.

 

[LesR]

and it's only 5 minutes from the Camino, with lots of signage so you can't get lost and you don't have to backtrack to get back on the Camino!
agree 100% well worth the short detour

But it is uphill... (sigh...)

 

[Anniesantiago]

But it is uphill... (sigh...)

No? Not that I remember? It is the same as if you are walking on the Camino.

 

[LesR]

I do... it after all is on the top of a hill, no doubt for defensive reasons..

 

[Anniesantiago]

I do... it after all is on the top of a hill, no doubt for defensive reasons..

I guess I'm younger and more fit than you.
I don't remember any particular climb ::laughing and ducking:::

 

[LesR]

I guess I'm younger and more fit than you.
I don't remember any particular climb ::laughing and ducking:::

It wasn’t a big climb and it came on top of a substantial bit of uphill path anyway...

 

[Kanga]

We stopped there thought it was wonderful. That day was very misty and atmospheric. My imagination took flight!

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

But it is uphill... (sigh...)

the Camino already takes you up 95% of the climb!
a couple years ago, before the Camino route was altered after Castromaior village, the detour was much longer and uphill. now the Camino literally takes (well almost) takes you to the castro's doorstep.

 

[amocatnerak]

The day I walked that stage I had it all to myself. I am not sure if everyone else just missed it or didn’t want to make the slight detour. At any rate I thought it was interesting and I had a great time wandering around before heading back to the trail.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The day I walked that stage I had it all to myself.

Are you sure you were alone? The Shadow knows.

 

[Pelegrin]

This castro has square houses, that means that was rebuilt in the Roman period.

 

[Pelegrin]

This castro has square houses, that means that was rebuilt in the Roman period.

And the pallozas at O Cebreiro remained round !!!!!

 

[sillydoll]

Visited the site yesterday and Vilar do Donas today.

 

[islandwalker]

Thanks to this thread, we knew about the castro and had a great visit yesterday in an hour of rare sunshine! What a treasure this site is.

For anyone wondering how to find the fort, I’ve attached a photo from our Wikiloc track.

The red line is our track along the Camino (and also our detour to the fort). The green circle is the village of Castromaior. The yellow circle is the detour. Leave the Camino at the point marked by the black arrow, 750 meters from the village. Walk uphill to your left 210 meters and you are at the castro (inside the yellow circle). You can walk all the way around on the walls and exit where you came in, as we did, or you can walk down from the wall at the west end and use the track there to rejoin the Camino.

More photos on today’s journal page.