Camino Walk ~ Stage 1: Valença – Porriño
Distance: 22 km (~13.7 miles)
Relatively flat terrain: 13.7 km
Elevation gain: 1089’ for about 4.1 km
Elevation loss: 1158’ for about 4.1 km
We leave Ponte de Lima this morning on a drive north, stopping short of the Spanish border in the town of Valença, Portugal, situated on the Minho River, boundary between these medieval, Iberian Peninsula neighbors.
Valença marks the start of our Camino experience. A walking tour of the town introduces us to the start of the Camino and give us better understanding of the international linkage between Spain and Portugal.
Our official launch of the Camino pilgrimage begins by crossing the International Bridge over the Minho River, taking us into Spain and the border town of Tui in the province of Galicia. Tui boasts a lovely historic center of medieval stone edifices including the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Convent of Clarisas, and the Gothic church of Santo Domingo.
Leaving Tui, we embark into rural and wooded areas, traversing quiet Galician villages, often overlapping with the ancient Roman road XIX which connected Bracara (present day Braga, Portugal) with the thriving Roman center of Arturica (present-day Astorga, Spain).
Historically significant are the Bridge of Fevers where, in 1251 AD, Saint Telmo died while on his pilgrimage, and the five, stone Santa Comba crosses near Ribadelouro.
We’ll be sure to get our Credentials stamped today at the appropriate establishments, possibly the tapa bar where today’s lunch is provided.
Later this afternoon, we arrive into Porriño, the final stop on today’s route, and rendezvous with walkers who have opted out during the day. Home this evening, and for the following 4 nights is in the enchanting old Spanish town of Pontevedra, a 40-minute drive north.
OPT OUT OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the six days of our Camino experience walkers are encouraged to monitor and manage their energy and participation. Though the itinerary is centered around hiking the Camino each day for the distances listed, opt outs are available approximately every two hours. Based on our locations, our bus and one of our guides may take opt out hikers to visit points of interest that lie within a short distance from our Camino route. They will not, however, be transported to the hotel until the end of that day’s walk when opt out walkers rendezvous with full walk hikers for a return to our hotel.
The plan and timing will fluctuate each day according to the route and opportunities along the route. For example, some lunches will be boxed lunches, others may be taken together in local restaurants along the way before the end of walk rendezvous for that day.
Introduction to Pontevedra
We are excited to offer 5 evenings to explore the many attractions of Pontevedra.
The city’s original name, Pons Vetus (Old Bridge), from Latin, is evidence of its likely Roman origin, though locals hold to the legend of its founding by the Greek, Teucro, following the Trojan War. The ancient, 11-arch bridge still spans the Lérez River at its entry into the Pontevedra Ria (Estuary), a site that contributes to Pontevedra’s long maritime tradition dating at least to the Middle Ages. It’s probable that Christopher Columbus’s primary ship, the Santa Maria, was built here.
Pontevedra has one of Galicia’s best preserved historic centers. The city’s many lovely stone buildings and squares are testimony to its medieval wealth as a maritime center.
A stroll connecting the city’s many picturesque squares takes you past a plethora of classic architectural jewels from centuries past including the Church of San Bartolome (now the Main Theatre); Casa das Campas; Palace of the Mendoza; House of the Baron; 16th century Plateresque Church of Santa Maria la Mayor (designated a national monument); 14th century Gothic-style convents of San Francisco (also a national monument) and Santa Clara; Rococo-style La Peregrina Sanctuary from the 18th century; and 14th century convent of Santo Domingo, converted to an archeological museum.