A 14.7 mile day and it’s not over

 Posted by VQT

Very pretty walk through woodland paths and small farming villages.  We saw countless cows, sheep, cats, horses and 2 adorable donkeys.  

Portomarin is on a very steep hill.  Here’s some history: 

Relocation of Portomarín

In the 1960s, an event unfolded that would forever change the face of Portomarín. The construction of the Belesar Reservoir led to the damming of the Miño River, threatening the original village with submersion. This village, established in the Middle Ages beside a Roman bridge, faced an existential crisis. The response? A bold and unprecedented move to relocate the entire village to higher ground.

Preserving Portomarín’s Heritage

The relocation of Portomarín wasn’t just a matter of moving a community; it was about preserving its historical soul. Key historical structures, like the 12th-century Romanesque church of San Xoán de Portomarín and the Capela de San Pedro, were carefully dismantled, stone by stone, and reconstructed in the new village location. This monumental effort not only saved these historical gems from the rising waters but also symbolically resurrected the town’s history and identity.

VQT and LP at Sarria sign early this morning.  

LP and others walking down a woodland path. 

A solitary tree in the morning fog.  

Mountain View with morning fog in the valleys. 

LP, Tina and VQT at the 100 km (60 mile) marker.  This is the shortest distance you can walk and get a Compostela in Santiago.  (Earlier post showed a huge tour bus - I’m sure most of us have taken a guided tour on this type of bus.  The issue isn’t the bus or tour it’s the tourists who get off the bus and walk a few feet to get a stamp in their Credential book and get back on the bus.  The stamps prove you’ve walked the distance in order to get a Compostela in Santiago.)

A painted stone.  “Sometimes the path only becomes clear when you start walking it.”  Paulo Coelho.  

Interiors of the church that was moved.  

Exterior of the church.  

Look close and you can see numbers on the stones. 

We arrived in Portomarin hot, tired and thirsty.  Our hotel check in was at the associated restaurant which was closed (siesta time).  The owner let us buy 2 beers which we greatly appreciated.  It’s now 5:30 and we’re showered and ready to find any open restaurant and eat. Unfortunately most restaurants will now be closed until 7 or 8.  Wish us luck.