Villafranca Montes de Oca

About this stop

A little about Villafranca Montes de Oca

Villafranca Montes de Oca is a small village with historical significance on the Camino de Santiago. It is nestled in the Montes de Oca mountain range, which has been a challenging part of the pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. The village's history dates back to the 9th century, when it was founded by Count Diego Rodríguez Porcelos as a defensive outpost against Moorish invasions.

The village is known for its 18th-century Church of Santiago Apóstol, which was built on the site of an earlier church dedicated to the same saint. The church houses a statue of Saint James the Apostle, which has been venerated by pilgrims for centuries. Additionally, Villafranca Montes de Oca was once home to a pilgrim hospital, founded in the 13th century by the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. The hospital provided care and shelter to weary pilgrims as they traversed the challenging mountainous terrain. Today, the village continues to serve as a rest stop for modern-day pilgrims, offering accommodations, food, and other services to support their journey.