Albergue de Peregrinos Parroquial

Where to begin. We turned up at this town with not a clue as to where to stay. After suckling some zesty ales in the local bar beside the church we walked around the church and stepped inside, not knowing an Albergue lay within… One flight of stairs up and we hear strange voices and singing. Upon opening the door, unbeknownst to us, our next 12 hours were set in stone. We were led inside and shown our sleeping quarters (a humble room packed with mattresses and the bags of fellow pilgrims) and then led down to the main church to listen to a small peregrino service. Afterwards we were promptly ushered back upstairs to engage in dinner festivities (a most succulent chorizo soup type dish). Following this we all washed the dishes like some sort of well oiled pilgrim dish cleaning machine (see picture and video). Afterwards we had a few singsongs and then nipped round the back of the church where we passed about a candle. I can’t say I got much sleep that night (primarily due to the relentless snoring of weary pilgrims) but I can say I’m almost certain to remember the whole experience for many many moons.

This albuergue donativo gets excellent reviews, but I think you have to be the right person to go here... I stayed for 1 night in April. Most of the hospitaleros were nice, but 1 was rather short tempered, especially during meal prep. The mattresses are on the floor. No pillows here. No wifi, handwash laundry only with the drying area in a damp attic. There is one male/one female bathroom with each having 1 toilet and 1 shower. There is a small kitchen. You are offered lunch if there are leftovers from the night before. Dinner is communal. I was left rather hungry at the end of dinner as it was salad, a thin soup, and small ice cream. Now, for the mystical chapel experience...this just wasn't for me. You sit in a circle with lit candles. Everyone has a chance to say something if they are led to do so while holding the speaking candle. Then all hold hands while a prayer is said. So far so good. Then the hospitaleros tell you that the do not offer a stamp at this albuergue but they do offer hugs. Then everyone goes around hugging each other. This was very uncomfortable for me as it is not in my culture to hug strangers. I am sure it is lovely if it is something you are comfortable with and like, but for me it was not a nice experience.

Donativo place that's rich with mysticism. Beautiful candlelight pilgrim devotional (not mass) in the cathedral after dinner. I felt the need to walk 46km against a headwind to reach this place on a particular evening and my intuition was 100% right

Spent a night here on my Camino, loved every second of it. It's really different from any other Albergues I've stayed at, even the donativo ones. It was such a unique experience, I highly recommend staying here for a night.

The best pilgrim experience so far!!! Such a beautiful place, amazing people, beautiful souls! It’s the time I felt we made a break in paradise and got really rested - mind, body and soul. All of us deleted like a family and connected with each other while preparing meal, dining and reflecting our thoughts. I would totally recommend it!