On our first day we will hike 20,6 km, temperature is around 22 degrees, perfect for hiking! We climb from 868 m till 1156 m.
We have arrived last night in Astorga where people are getting themselves ready for the Semana Santa or Holy week.
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Astorga is the place for chocolate, mantecadas (kind of muffins).
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We experience the local cuisine: Cocido Maragato which is like a stew, it was originally prepared for those who performed hard physical labor day.
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We visit the cathedral, where we will get our first stamp for the day. The cathedral is a mixture of different styles : façade is renaissance, the towers baroque…
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We can admire Gaudi’s Episcopal Palace of Astorga, This monument was designed by Gaudí himself in 1887, although it was ultimately completed by the architect Luis de Querejeta. It now hosts a museum dedicated to pilgrims.
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A lovely lunch near Santa Catalina in the sunshine.
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Last minute shopping in a sleepy village.
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Lovely hiking towards Rabanal, a mountain village with 57 inhabitants only. We will go at 7 pm for our pilgrim blessing, The monks they hold daily services in the village church and sing in Gregorian chant.