The Winter Way in Galicia

Immerse yourself in inland Galicia's sumptuous landscape by taking this pilgrimage route through the unrivaled beauty of its valleys.

Vineyards on the banks of the river MiñoRegional Government of Galicia

Not just a Winter Way (Camino de Invierno), this pilgrimage route was used during colder eras as an alternative to the Camino Francés, to take advantage of the valleys leading to Galicia. This avoided the snow-covered mountains, making the journey easier.

Vineyards in the Valdeorras region (2021)Regional Government of Galicia

Valdeorras

During particularly cold eras—such as the Little Ice Age, which occurred from the 15th century onward—access to Galicia via the mild, fertile valley of Valdeorras made far more sense as a route than going via the peaks of O Cebreiro.

The Sil river as it passes through A RúaRegional Government of Galicia

A Rúa

Place names such as A Rúa (The Street) show the extent to which the valley of the Sil was used as an access route, particularly from the Early Modern era onward. Thousands of travelers have passed this way over the centuries, and there is evidence that large numbers of them were pilgrims from all over the world.

The Sil river as it passes through A Rúa (2021)Regional Government of Galicia

In fact, thanks to its convenience and mild climate, this route was one of the main routes linking northwestern Spain with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Roman era onward. Abundant archeological remains across the entire region provide evidence of this.

PetínRegional Government of Galicia

Petín

The natural wealth of places such as Petín, which attracted the Romans in their day, has shaped a landscape that is arguably the main alternative to the traditional route of the French Way.

Bridge of A Cigarrosa and Petín (2021)Regional Government of Galicia

The robustness of many of the structures along this route, such as its bridges, shows us that this is not a seasonal route but one that was used as a main road over the course of several centuries, during which time these structures were built.

A Carreira Street in Petín (2021)Regional Government of Galicia

With Atlantic Galicia's golden age consigned to the past, this route is now used far less than it once was. This has allowed the almost complete preservation of traditional, popular places along the route, as well as of large areas of unrivaled natural beauty.

View of Val de Lemos from outside the monastery of San Vicente do Pino (15th Century)Regional Government of Galicia

Monforte de Lemos

This route crosses the region of Lemos. This was one of Galicia's wealthiest regions, especially during the time of the historic county's expansion during the Early Modern era. The region's architectural heritage is a clear reflection of this economic strength.

Monforte de LemosRegional Government of Galicia

Few places illustrate this as convincingly as Monforte. Nestled in the region of Lemos, in the Ribeira Sacra, Monforte was the capital of the County of Lemos during the 16th and 17th centuries. This was one of the most powerful counties in Europe, with a lineage described by the historian Manuel Murguía as "virtually royal."

Monforte de Lemos Homage Tower and San Vicente do Pino Monastery (15th Century)Regional Government of Galicia

This proximity to royalty is reflected today in Monforte's historic buildings: the Monastery of San Vicente del Pino, the keep, and the mansion house that was the residence of the counts of Lemos, which presides over the region from the hill after which the town is named.

College of Our Lady of Antigua (1593)Regional Government of Galicia

The Nuestra Señora de la Antigua school is another outstanding example of Monforte’s influence. Built in the late 16th century in a style known as Herrerian, having been commissioned by Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro Osorio, it now houses artistic gems by painters such as El Greco and Van de Goes.

Diomondi Episcopal Palace (2015)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia

O Saviñao

The former episcopal palace of Diomondi, restored in recent years and converted into the first public pilgrim hostel (albergue) on this new route, is an example of the elegant stone architecture typical of inland Galicia.

O Cabo do Mundo, meander in the river MiñoRegional Government of Galicia

But if there is one thing that sets this pilgrim route (which has been an official route since the beginning of this century) apart, it is its unique setting. In terms of the sheer beauty of its landscape, the Winter Way is unarguably the most impressive of all the routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

Vineyards on the banks of the river Miño (2021)Regional Government of Galicia

Chantada

A large part of the route that crosses the municipalities of O Saviñao and Chantada is a traditional wine-producing area, set against a landscape that is one of Galicia's most beautiful features.

Vineyards on the banks of the river Miño (2021)Regional Government of Galicia

The closely intertwined river and mountain give the Ribeira Sacra in Lugo its unique allure. The route partially crosses this region. It is a tough, steeply sloped route, which nonetheless provides satisfying challenges for 21st-century travelers.

Cruceiro and hermitage of Nosa Señora do Faro on Mount Faro (2011)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia

The biggest uphill climb of the entire route takes pilgrims to the chapel of Mount Faro. This mountain range follows the boundary line that separates Deza from its neighboring province.

Public hostel for pilgrims in Bendoiro, in Lalín (2007)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia

Lalín

The roads used by pilgrims have been improved in recent decades along these inland routes. These routes are being used by growing numbers of pilgrims, in particular those who are undertaking the Camino de Santiago for a second or subsequent time, having previously completed it via another route. From here, the Winter Route merges with the Mozarabic (or Silver) Way, in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.

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