Valcarlos
Valcarlos is a small village nestled in the Pyrenees mountains, near the border between Spain and France. Historically, this village played a significant role as an alternative route for pilgrims on ... Read full notes the Camino de Santiago during the Middle Ages. The Valcarlos route, also known as the Route of Charlemagne, was often chosen by those who wished to avoid the more challenging and exposed Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees. The village's name, Valcarlos, translates to "Valley of Charles" in English, and it is believed to be named in honor of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. According to legend, Charlemagne's army suffered a devastating defeat in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 AD, which took place near Valcarlos. The battle was immortalized in the epic poem "The Song of Roland," and the memory of this event has contributed to the historical significance of Valcarlos as a locality on the Camino de Santiago.
